# Sophie Cunningham’s explosive social media growth during WNBA’s transgender controversy revealed

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sophie-cunninghams-explosive-social-media-growth-during-wnbas-transgender-controversy-revealed/
- Published: 2026-11-03T21:42:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T00:55:20+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/03/sports/sophie-cunninghams-explosive-social-media-growth-revealed/
- Topics: Entertainment, TV, World

## Key points

- Cunningham gained more than 2.95 million Instagram followers.
- Her following more than tripled during the WNBA season.
- She says she has hired security amid stalking concerns.

## Summary

Sophie Cunningham’s Instagram following rose more than that of any other 49 of the most-followed WNBA players combined this season, according to figures from a branding agency. The surge followed her public comments opposing transgender athletes competing in women’s sport and has brought her wider attention, as well as security concerns.

Between 8 May and 2 November, Cunningham gained more than 2.95 million followers, taking her total from about 1.4 million to 4.36 million. The other 49 leading WNBA players gained nearly two million combined, while NBA star Jalen Brunson added just over one million. Cunningham says she has hired round-the-clock security and has reported having 20 stalkers being monitored by the FBI; she is a free agent after the Indiana Fever’s first-round playoff defeat.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.