WNBA Icon Sophie Cunningham Reveals the Viral Tan Lines Dress Was Picked Out by Her Mom

Jennifer Pottheiser. Getty Images.

It's been just over a week since the WNBA tried to increase its popularity - which is already at record levels - even further with a whole new promotional campaign. Using a method that is relative new to them. But one that has launched many a successful company, including ours:

Specifically, the Phoenix Mercury put Sophie Cunningham where she most belongs other than on a basketball court: In front of a camera:

As far as ad campaigns go, it's not like this is cleverest thing since Mean Joe Greene tossed his sweaty game-worn to some little doe-eyed Steelers fan. But that doesn't mean it wasn't effective. That video has been viewed almost 15 million times. While Cunningham's post has over 43,000 likes. And she's become somewhat of a household name. 

But before we give all the credit to the league, to the Mercury, or even to Cunningham, she's made it known her mom is the Don Draper behind it all:

Source - The veteran WNBA player turned heads with a "Love Island" inspired dress that revealed her summer tan lines before the Mercury’s matchup against the New York Liberty on Aug. 26. A select few fans on social media called out the look, but Cunningham told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday that the outfit was definitely mom-approved. 

"I was just talking to someone, and I was like, 'Actually my mom picked that outfit out,'" Cunningham said with a laugh. 

"Everyone's all in my comments about, 'Oh, your parents --' and I'm like, actually, that was my mom's doing. But, no, I had no idea," she added when asked if she thought the tan line reveal would be so controversial. 

It's odd that a grown woman getting her picture taken looking incredible in a dress would be considered "controversial" by anyone. But that's a sign of the terrible times we live in, I guess. The larger point being that Cunningham appreciates the attention and plans on leaning into this new role:

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"I do think it's super cool that people are interested in what we do off the court now. Our tunnel fits have been a fashion show, and people are so excited and intrigued about what we're going to wear." 

 

Cunningham has since continued to turn heads with her pregame looks. She even told Fox News Digital that her planned outfit for Thursday’s game against the Washington Mystics is going to be "feisty [and] sassy, and hopefully it turns some heads."

And that is how you generate interest in a Thursday night regular season game that's going head-to-head with the NFL Kickoff.  So obviously it's taking her no time to get good at this business. 

As far as her parents go? I have no daughters, so there are terabytes of data I'll never know about the proper way to raise one. But if I had to guess, I'd say Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are doing an exemplary job. I mean, what traits would you most want to see the young woman you've raised possess? Strength. Intelligence. Character. Confidence. Fearlessness. "Feisty and sassy." Check, check, check, check, check, check and checkmate.  

If that's controversial, to anyone, they have a Them problem, not a Sophie Cunningham problem. Nor is it a Mrs. Cunningham problem. Because Sophie's mom has got it going on. Now we wait to see what they've picked out for the Mystics game, and the best year ever for women's basketball rolls on.