Former ESPN writer and author Chuck Klosterman has made a surprising prediction about WNBA player Sophie Cunningham’s future. Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Klosterman said he believes Cunningham could become Vice President of the United States by 2050. The comment quickly drew attention because Cunningham’s profile has grown far beyond basketball in recent months. Alongside her WNBA career, she has launched a podcast, worked as a player analyst for USA Network, and appeared at a UFC event in Las Vegas. The prediction also comes as Cunningham continues to face questions about her political views and growing public visibility.
Why Chuck Klosterman believes Sophie Cunningham could become Vice President?
Klosterman shared the unexpected prediction during a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast. While making it clear that he knows little about Cunningham’s political beliefs, he said he could still imagine her one day becoming a vice-presidential candidate.“Sophie Cunningham… I’m going to say [by] 2050, is going to be Vice President of the United States. I don’t know what party she’ll be in, I don’t know anything about her political views. But she will be the vice presidential candidate, at least the candidate,” Klosterman said.He then tried to explain why he felt that way, pointing to Cunningham’s personality and the way she carries herself on the court.“I don’t know what it is. It’s something about the fact that she wears those sleeves on the court, something about the way she triggers in-bound plays at the end of games, makes me think she will be someone’s ideal vice president.“You know, she has a damn likable personality.”The comments were not based on any political plans from Cunningham. Instead, they reflected Klosterman’s personal impression of her public image and leadership qualities.Cunningham has become one of the most talked-about personalities in women’s basketball over the past few months. Her appearances outside the sport have also helped introduce her to audiences who may not regularly follow the WNBA.
Sophie Cunningham addresses political assumptions after viral spotlight
Klosterman’s prediction arrived shortly after Cunningham once again found herself at the center of political discussion. Over the weekend, she was photographed with UFC president Dana White, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump.The WNBA guard has also previously been called “MAGA Barbie” by some fans online, leading to speculation about her political leanings. This week, Cunningham directly addressed those assumptions.“I’m clearly white and from Missouri, and so I think there was a lot of assumption there,” she said. “All I have to say is I really am right in the middle, and I think a lot of America is like that. In our culture today you have to choose and you have to be an extremist, and that’s just not me. So, I agree with things on both sides; I disagree with things on both sides.”Cunningham was already in the spotlight before those remarks. Last month, she went viral during a game against the Phoenix Mercury when she dramatically pointed at forward DeWanna Bonner during a heated moment on the court.The gesture turned into a widely shared meme. Brands, sports pages and social media users posted their own versions, and eventually the White House X account joined in. The account shared a video that included Cunningham recreating the gesture before cutting to Trump pointing toward the camera and giving a thumbs-up.Asked about the post, Cunningham said she did not view it as a major issue. “I think everyone around the world is posting it,” she told reporters. “Every company has done it. They’re just the one to also get on board, and so I didn’t really think twice about it. I think they’re just another group who is posting about it.”
