Fox News is getting roasted for Sophie Cunningham birthday message originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Sophie Cunningham on Sunday received an unusual birthday message. It was from Fox News, the influential right-wing news and commentary channel. Fox News wished Cunningham a happy 30th birthday as she scored three points in 32 minutes of the Indiana Fever's overtime win over the Atlanta Dream. MORE: Sophie Cunningham’s birthday outfit turns heads before clutch Fever win
But it wasn't just that Fox News waded into sports to wish a role player a happy birthday: it was how the news channel's post on X described Cunningham as a "superstar."
Happy Birthday to WNBA superstar Sophie Cunningham! 🎉🏀 pic.twitter.com/hjIaKTqee2 — Fox News (@FoxNews) August 16, 2026 This led to a backlash from WNBA fans on social media, most of whom critiqued the choice of "superstar" as an adjective in relation to Cunningham. "Happy birthday to the FIRST EVER 8 point averaging superstar," one X user wrote. Averages 8.8 points but she’s a superstar?" another asked. "Fox News is using this poor girl as a political pawn," said another. While nobody acting in good faith would characterize Cunningham as a "superstar" -- and Fox News' recognition of her has everything to do with her comments on transgender athletes -- Cunningham is no slouch on the basketball court, either. That being said, a role player receiving a birthday message from an X account with more than 29 million followers certainly was going to turn some heads. Surely, Fox News will jump on covering the WNBA full-time now? More WNBA news:
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