Sophie Cunningham’s New 2-Word Nickname Is Going Viral

Sophie Cunningham is having quite the 2025.

Her name has been buzzing for good and bad things for the past few months.

The buzz surrounding her started after she was alleged to have had an affair with married Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, according to a lawsuit.

Gene Traylor, a Suns employee and former director of safety, security, and risk management, alleges he told Bartelstein that Cornelius Craig, the franchise’s vice president of security and risk management, had been telling people that Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham.

That news would eventually die out.

Then last month, a skirmish between Caitlin Clark and multiple members of the Sun led to Sophie Cunningham grabbing Sun guard Jacy Sheldon by her neck and throwing her to the ground.She was ejected from the game. She gained thousands, if not millions, of new fans because of her actions.

More recently, Cunningham made it clear she wasn’t eager to visit two of the league’s newest expansion teams when they begin play in the coming years.

“It’s a hard decision-making situation, but, man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland],” Cunningham said Tuesday morning ahead of shootaround for the Commissioner’s Cup final.

Sophie Cunningham Gets Called Maga Barbie

Sophie Cunningham (Photo By Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)
Over the past year, Sophie Cunningham has become a liked and disliked figure within the WNBA fan base.

She has also been accused of being a supporter of President Donald Trump.

Because of that, fans have started to refer to her as “MAGA Barbie.”

“Mind you, maga barbie is saying this from Indiana 🤡,” one fan said.

“These cities are dragging MAGA Barbie,” a second fan stated.

“The thought of MAGA barbie getting booed while playing in Detroit if she’s still even in the league by then,” a third fan said of Sophie Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham, the Indiana Fever guard-forward, has found herself at the center of WNBA attention for months, and not always for her on-court play. In 2025, her name has been everywhere—from tabloid rumors to viral sports moments, and now, a new nickname that’s lighting up social media: “MAGA Barbie.”

The nickname, which has quickly caught fire across Twitter, TikTok, and WNBA fan forums, is a two-word label that’s both mocking and memorable. It’s a reference to Cunningham’s perceived political leanings, with “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) signaling support for former President Donald Trump, and “Barbie” poking fun at her all-American look and confident persona. The moniker has been used by fans and critics alike, sometimes in jest, sometimes with a sharper edge.

Cunningham’s recent months have been filled with headlines. Earlier in the year, she was mentioned in a lawsuit involving Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, with allegations of an affair swirling in the media—though that story eventually faded. Then came a viral moment on the court: during a heated game against the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham was ejected after grabbing Sun guard Jacy Sheldon by the neck and throwing her to the ground. The incident drew both outrage and admiration, earning her thousands of new followers and sparking endless debate about her playing style and temperament.

Off the court, Cunningham stirred the pot again when she commented on the WNBA’s upcoming expansion, expressing a lack of enthusiasm about trips to new teams in Detroit and Cleveland. Her blunt honesty didn’t sit well with everyone, especially fans from those cities.

But it’s the “MAGA Barbie” nickname that’s truly stuck. Social media users have run wild with it, using it as shorthand for Cunningham’s controversial reputation. Some use it to criticize her, others to cheer her on, but either way, it’s become a defining part of her public persona in 2025. Whether Sophie Cunningham embraces the label or tries to shake it, there’s no denying that “MAGA Barbie” has gone viral—and for now, it’s not going anywhere.