WNBA player Sophie Cunningham laughs off pregame fit criticism, says viral ‘tan lines’ dress was mom-approved

Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham spoke to Fox News Digital about clinching a spot in the WNBA playoffs and social media's reaction to her pregame outfits.

Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham is making a bold statement both on and off the court.

The Mercury clinched the team’s 14th playoff appearance in the last 16 seasons with a 74-66 win over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night, but Cunningham was already making headlines after one of her pregame fits went viral on social media last week. 

Sophie Cunningham, #9 of the Phoenix Mercury, arrives at the arena before the game against the Atlanta Dream on Sept. 3, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

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. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"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. 

However, Cunningham takes the attention as a sign of the times; the WNBA has seen record viewership and attendance this season, and now fans are showing more interest in not just the game, but the players. 

MERCURY'S SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SPARKS FIERCE REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA OVER PREGAME OUTFIT

"I do think