Inside the Locker Room Tensions and Unspoken Hierarchies as Sophie Cunningham Finally Speaks Out on How WNBA Veterans Are Treating Caitlin Clark Behind the Scenes

When Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA in 2024 as the most anticipated rookie in league history, few could have predicted the level of attention, criticism, and controversy that would follow her every move. From the sold-out arenas to the televised debates dissecting her every play, Clark’s arrival did more than boost ticket sales — it challenged the dynamics of a league long defined by its tight-knit veteran culture.

But what has really been going on behind the scenes? How have the WNBA veterans — many of whom built the league during years of obscurity and struggle — truly reacted to Clark’s meteoric rise?

Until recently, the narrative was mostly driven by speculation, viral clips, and out-of-context postgame comments. That is, until Sophie Cunningham — the Phoenix Mercury forward known for her competitive fire and unfiltered honesty — finally broke the silence in a candid interview that is now sending shockwaves through the league.

“There’s a Line That Rookies Aren’t Supposed to Cross”

Sitting down for an exclusive interview with a podcast known for its behind-the-scenes sports takes, Cunningham didn’t mince words.

“Look, Caitlin’s good — no one’s denying that,” she said. “But the league is full of people who were never handed anything. We had to grind our way to recognition, paycheck to paycheck, city to city. Then this girl walks in with more fanfare than most of us have seen in ten years. It creates tension. That’s real.”

What Cunningham hinted at — and what many fans are only beginning to grasp — is that Caitlin Clark’s massive popularity has exposed a divide in the league. On one side are the veterans who built the WNBA through years of sacrifice and hard-fought progress. On the other is Clark, whose college stardom, endorsement deals, and cultural cachet have thrust her into the spotlight before even lacing up her pro sneakers.

A League in Flux and the Culture Clash No One Wants to Talk About

The WNBA has long prided itself on unity and sisterhood. But insiders say that the current atmosphere is unlike anything the league has experienced before. In the locker rooms and on the court, a culture clash is unfolding — and Caitlin Clark is at the center of it.

“She didn’t make these headlines,” Cunningham clarified. “But they put her on a pedestal, and that’s going to make some people feel some type of way.”

Veteran players, many of whom never had the chance to sign million-dollar endorsement deals or see their names trending on Twitter nightly, are now being asked about Clark at every press conference. Some are embracing the attention she brings to the league. Others, however, feel the unspoken pressure — and perhaps resentment — that comes with watching a rookie become the face of the WNBA overnight.

Unspoken Rules and Silent Tests

One of the most debated aspects of Clark’s rookie season has been the physicality she faces on the court. Elbow checks, hard screens, aggressive fouls — all of which some fans see as bullying or even hazing. But Cunningham sees it differently.

“This isn’t high school,” she said. “We test every rookie. It’s part of earning your stripes. Caitlin’s not being targeted — she’s being initiated.”

Still, many disagree. Clips of Clark taking hard fouls, some without any flagrant call, have gone viral and sparked national conversations. Is this really about “tough love,” or is there an undercurrent of bitterness toward her fame?

According to WNBA sources, both dynamics may be true.

“There’s definitely a target on her back,” one anonymous veteran shared. “But it’s not always malicious. Some of it is just the league’s way of seeing what you’re made of.”

“She’s Changing the Game — and That Scares Some People”

For all the debate, there is one point on which nearly everyone agrees: Caitlin Clark is changing the game.

Her presence has driven record-breaking attendance, broadcast ratings, and fan engagement. Her jersey is among the best-selling in league history. And perhaps most critically, she has introduced millions of new fans — many of whom had never watched a WNBA game before — to the league.

But with that kind of influence comes a new set of challenges.

“It’s not just about basketball anymore,” Cunningham admitted. “It’s about brand, politics, image. Caitlin is bigger than the league in some ways. And that’s a weird place to be.”

That imbalance, Cunningham argues, is what’s truly behind some of the awkwardness among players.

“There’s no manual for this. We’re watching a rookie have more pull than most teams. That’s hard to process, even if you respect her game.”

The Cost of Fame in a League Fighting for Visibility

For all the celebration of Clark’s rise, it’s worth asking: what is the emotional toll on her?

In interviews, Clark has remained measured and mature, often deflecting attention or redirecting praise to her teammates. But sources close to her suggest that the spotlight is exhausting.

“She wants to earn everything,” one Fever insider said. “She doesn’t want any favors. But the narrative around her is out of her control.”

That lack of control has led to some uncomfortable moments. Critics have accused her of being a “media creation.” Others have questioned her toughness or leadership. Even well-meaning praise sometimes feels like pressure.

For someone just a few months removed from college, the scrutiny is intense. And Cunningham, perhaps surprisingly, expressed empathy for that.

“She’s dealing with a lot,” she said. “More than most of us ever did. I may not like the way she was pushed to the front of the line, but I respect how she’s handling it.”

So What Are the Veterans Really Doing?

Despite the speculation, Cunningham insists there’s no coordinated effort to “teach Clark a lesson.” But she does acknowledge that veterans are watching closely — and some are keeping their distance.

“There’s no hazing, no vendetta,” she said. “But there’s definitely a sense of, ‘Let’s see how she handles the grind.’ Because this league will break you if you’re not ready.”

Cunningham also pushed back against the idea that veterans are jealous.

“We’re not mad she’s famous. We’re mad that people act like she invented women’s basketball,” she said. “There are legends in this league who never got a tenth of the attention. That stings.”

Building a Bridge or Burning One

So where does the league go from here?

Some believe the WNBA is at a turning point — one where it must reconcile its past with its rapidly changing present. Clark represents a new kind of player, one who is not only elite on the court but a media juggernaut off it.

To thrive, veterans and rookies alike will need to find common ground. And according to Cunningham, that starts with conversation.

“I’ve talked to Caitlin. She’s cool. She listens. She wants to learn. But she’s also got her own ideas. We have to make space for both.”

In that spirit, Cunningham says she hopes the league leans into its growing pains rather than pretending they don’t exist.

“This tension isn’t a bad thing,” she said. “It means we’re growing. It means people care.”

A League Redefined by One Player — But Not Ruled by Her

In the end, Caitlin Clark may be the most talked-about athlete in the WNBA, but she is just one player. The league is still filled with veterans who have weathered every storm and carried the weight of the sport for decades.

Cunningham’s comments peel back the curtain on a reality that is more complex than the highlight reels and hot takes suggest. Behind every hard foul, every side-eye in a postgame presser, and every viral headline, there are real people navigating change, legacy, and identity in real time.

And while Clark’s presence may be disruptive, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“Sometimes you need someone to shake things up,” Cunningham said in closing. “And if Caitlin’s that person, so be it. But don’t be surprised when the rest of us push back. That’s how this league has always worked — and how it keeps getting better.”