Sports writer Chuck Klosterman has suggested that WNBA player Sophie Cunningham could be a candidate for Vice President of the United States by 2050. The assertion was made on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where Klosterman outlined his prediction.
Cunningham has gained prominence through her WNBA career, her podcast, and her role as a player analyst for USA Network. She recently made a public appearance at a UFC event in Las Vegas. The athlete has also been a subject of online attention, including a viral meme from a recent game and a subsequent social media post from the White House.
Amid speculation about her political leanings, Cunningham addressed the topic, stating that she aligns with moderate views. "I’m clearly white and from Missouri, and so I think there was a lot of assumption there," she said. "All I have to say is I really am right in the middle, and I think a lot of America is like that. In our culture today you have to choose and you have to be an extremist, and that’s just not me. So, I agree with things on both sides; I disagree with things on both sides."
The viral moment that contributed to her increased public profile involved an animated gesture towards an opposing player during a game. The incident was noted by fans and subsequently shared by the official White House X account. Cunningham commented on the White House's involvement, viewing it as another instance of public engagement with the trending moment.