Sophie Cunningham Mistaken for NBA Star in Hilariously Bizarre Merch Fail That Has Fans Doing Double Takes

In the ever-entertaining world of sports marketing, mistakes happen — but some are just too ridiculous to ignore. Over the weekend, WNBA player Sophie Cunningham found herself at the center of an internet frenzy after a promotional mix-up had fans wondering if she had secretly switched leagues.

The chaos began when a popular online retailer launched a new batch of sports merchandise featuring what was supposed to be WNBA-themed gear. But eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed something strange. One of the T-shirts proudly displayed the name “Sophie Cunningham” — but the photo on the shirt was very clearly not her. In fact, it wasn’t even a woman.

Instead, the shirt appeared to feature an entirely different male athlete, presumably an NBA player, mismatched with Cunningham’s name. The image blunder quickly went viral, triggering waves of confusion, jokes, and outrage across social media.

For those who know Sophie Cunningham, the mistake is even more absurd. The 6-foot-1 Phoenix Mercury guard is known for her fierce presence on the court, sharp shooting, and relentless energy — not to mention her unmistakable look. So to pair her name with a completely different face (and gender) wasn’t just lazy — it was downright embarrassing.

Fans were quick to respond. “This is what happens when people in charge of women’s sports merch don’t actually watch women’s sports,” one Twitter user posted. Another wrote, “Imagine buying a shirt for your favorite WNBA player and getting some random dude’s face instead. Unreal.”

Cunningham herself hasn’t publicly commented on the gaffe, but her fans are speaking loud and clear. Many are using this moment to highlight the ongoing issue of disrespect and underinvestment in women’s sports. While the men’s leagues enjoy billion-dollar merch deals and nonstop media attention, WNBA players like Cunningham often get overlooked — or in this case, completely misrepresented.

“This isn’t just a funny fail. It’s symbolic of how little care is sometimes given to women athletes,” one fan posted in a viral TikTok video calling out the merch company. “They wouldn’t dare make this kind of mistake with an NBA star.”

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the visibility and recognition of WNBA players. Despite years of growth and increasing fan support, female athletes still battle for the same level of respect — both in media coverage and merchandise marketing.

Even the smallest details, like a properly designed T-shirt, matter. When companies mess them up, it doesn’t just create a social media moment — it sends a message about who is (and isn’t) being taken seriously.

But if there’s a silver lining to this mishap, it’s the overwhelming support Cunningham has received in the aftermath. Fans have flooded her social media with messages of solidarity, and calls for better representation of WNBA players are growing louder.

Some supporters have even turned the blunder into a rallying cry, demanding merch companies do better. “If you’re going to profit off women athletes, at least make sure you know who they are,” wrote one commenter on Instagram.

The T-shirt in question has reportedly been pulled from the retailer’s website, and the company issued a vague apology citing “a production error.” But for many fans, that explanation falls short. They want accountability — and change.

This isn’t the first time women’s sports have been treated as an afterthought, and sadly, it likely won’t be the last. But thanks to social media, these mistakes no longer go unnoticed. And when fans rally behind athletes like Sophie Cunningham, their voices — and frustrations — are impossible to ignore.

At the very least, this latest merch blunder has reminded everyone that women’s sports deserve the same care, respect, and attention as men’s. Because if companies can’t even get the face on the T-shirt right, they’ve got a long way to go.