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Detroit’s pride took a hit this week, and one Lions player wasn’t having it. What started as a simple comment about WNBA expansion turned into an unexpected crossover beef between women’s basketball and NFL grit.
“I Don’t Know How Excited People Are…”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made headlines with her blunt take on future WNBA expansion cities. When asked about the league adding new teams—including one in Detroit—Cunningham didn’t hold back:
“Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans?… I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”
Yikes. Cunningham’s honesty may have lit a fire she didn’t expect—especially in Motown.
Dan Skipper Enters the Chat
Enter Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper, a 6’10” mountain of hometown pride. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Skipper delivered a perfectly timed clapback that left no doubt about where he stands on the city he represents:
“You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now.”
That shot fired wasn’t just for Cunningham—it was for every Detroiter who’s tired of the city getting dismissed.
The Fever Were on Fire—But So Was Detroit’s Defense
Ironically, the controversy came on the heels of a major win for the Fever. With Caitlin Clark sidelined, Indiana defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to claim the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Cunningham stepped up with 13 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, helping secure the $500,000 prize pool for her team.
So yeah—Sophie backed up her words with performance. But still…did she have to drag Detroit to do it?
The Verdict: Don’t Sleep on the D
The city of Detroit has long lived with a chip on its shoulder. Whether it’s in football, basketball, or now women’s hoops, people love to doubt it. But one thing’s for sure: Detroit doesn’t stay quiet when disrespected. And if Dan Skipper’s response is anything to go by, there’s still plenty of bite behind the Motor City bark.