The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Show Me Something - Sophie Cunningham responds to Skip Bayless on Caitlin Clark, blasts WNBA refs & shares dating advice
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode features a lively and candid conversation between WNBA star Sophie Cunningham and co-host West. The duo dives deep into recent controversies in the WNBA—including Sophie’s response to Skip Bayless’s comments on her and Caitlin Clark—as well as gritty takes on refereeing, personal health mishaps, shoe endorsements, and the challenging dynamics of being a supporting player to basketball superstars. The episode veers into lighter fare with dating advice, fan questions, and Midwestern sports nostalgia, making it equally substantive and entertaining.

Key Highlights and Discussion Points

1. Sophie Cunningham on Skip Bayless’ "Clout Chaser" Remark & Her Role Next to Caitlin Clark

• Background: Skip Bayless called Sophie a "clout chaser" concerning Caitlin Clark's ascendancy and Sophie’s media spotlight.
• Sophie Fires Back:
  • “Skip, who's the clout chaser? You're literally using my name as your headline so people can click on it... I have no beef with you, I've never met you. ... You're the one who has my name plastered all over your freaking YouTube.” (23:58)
  • Emphasizes her longstanding reputation as a passionate, protective, and outspoken player long before Caitlin Clark’s arrival.
  • She celebrates Caitlin’s positive impact: “She has brought millions. Millions, I wouldn't be surprised if it's billions of eyes onto the W and onto women's sports. ... Give the girls the flowers. They deserve it.” (29:03)
  • On attacks regarding her own stats: “People say, ‘oh, she averages eight points a game,’ and I'm like, yeah, and how many pro sports minutes have you played? ... You're making me more money, so keep talking your shit.” (30:00)
• On “Proximity Diminishing Legacy”:
  • Sophie reflects on the double standard faced by those playing beside megastars and asserts her unique value: “I've literally been the glue to our team. I'm our energy... I just don't care enough [about detractors], and that's my best attribute.” (30:37)

Memorable Quote

• “I might be blonde, but I'm not fucking dumb.” — Sophie, (29:03)

2. Sophie's Critique of WNBA Officiating & Lexi’s Injury

• Sophie spares no words for referees’ inconsistency and physicality allowed in the league:
  • “The refs are making—allowing it to be too physical, and then people can get away with certain stuff... McBride had an extra movement after the ball and just elbowed and nailed Lexi right in the fucking face. ... That should have been upgraded.” (32:56)
  • She singles out incidents from recent games; calls for better protection of stars and consistent officiating.
• Recounts Lexi’s double black eye and the culture of toughness: “She’s probably the one of the toughest players you will ever meet... plays hard and she's fucking tough.” (34:24)
• Calls on officials to call jump balls quickly to avoid escalation.

Notable Moment

• Sophie jokes about always getting fined for speaking her mind about officiating, but refuses to hold back: “If I say the word ref on this podcast, I'm gonna get fined, so I might as well go balls to the wall.” (32:29)

3. Behind the Scenes: Endorsements, Shoes, and Athlete Branding

• Sophie explains her shoe endorsement journey (Adidas), the business of athlete branding, and the realities of wearing competitors’ gear.
  • “There is one time that I was ... in a Nike shirt. I posted something on Instagram and I got in huge trouble.” (22:59)
• On what makes a perfect basketball shoe and her preference for low tops: “I like basketball shoes that are like tennis shoes... I want something light.” (20:17)

Notable Quote

• “They got me for a steal after I beat somebody up.” — Sophie, on her Adidas contract (20:59)

4. WNBA Locker Room Stories, Team Traditions, & Cake Ball League

• West details the whimsical—but fiercely competitive—cake ball league traditions in New York, including after-game flip cup records (15:55–16:58).
• Sophie and West banter about coed sports, the hype around women's in-game performances, and the unique energy of these leagues.

5. Caitlin Clark’s New Logo & Merchandise

• Sophie celebrates Caitlin Clark’s new logo and the elevation of women athletes through branding: “It's so simple, but it's still abstract and confusing enough that it fits her perfectly. ... She deserves it.” (18:12)
• Shares insider moments with athletes’ custom merch and swag.

6. College Rivalries & Border War Memories

• Deep dive into the Missouri/Kansas rivalry, rich with personal and regional backstory:
  • “I'm so pumped for the border war. God, I hate Kansas. I hate him.” (59:35)
  • Both reminisce about childhood traditions, deep-seated family loyalties, and epic games (61:05–65:57).
• Local humor: “Chiefs are in Missouri. ... We don't need your view if you don't know that.” (64:26)

7. Listener Q&A: WNBA, Dating & Life Advice

a. Toughest Player to Guard

• “Jonquel Jones from New York. She's just so strong and tall and just good.” (57:34)

b. Horse Game Strategy

• “If you do [layups] enough, people will miss on their last letter every time.” (58:16)
• West: “That's killer instinct.” (58:49)

c. Dating Advice for Conference Romance

• Playful take on workplace relationships, Sophie’s caution about conference flings:
  • “There's always like, are they dating someone back home? Are they actually married? ... Commenters make me nervous. I feel like a lot of people cheat at conferences, and I'm not for cheaters.” (68:30)
  • West: “Keep doing it and see what happens. As long as you're... Don't lie about it.” (67:22)

8. NFL Season Hype & Chiefs Talk

• West passionately details the excitement of NFL opening week, living in New York, and the unique energy around fall sports (37:36–39:03).
• Discussion on the Chiefs’ sustained excellence, dynasty talk, and why NFL parity differs from other sports due to salary caps (40:49–43:42).
• Hot take on “stacking your team” for championships versus chasing the largest contract:
  • “Let your ego go. Who cares what your salary says? ... Go win a championship. And now everyone's thriving.” — Sophie (41:59)

9. Chiefs Trivia Segment

• The duo playfully stumbles through a Chiefs trivia challenge, demonstrating both love for KC sports and self-deprecating humor (46:23–56:30).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sophie on staying true to herself: “I've always been this way … I'm feisty, I'm sassy, I'm goofy, I'm probably the most unserious person you'll ever meet.” (27:04)
• On WNBA physicality: “I am for physicality, but ... We are elite level athletes and it is physical and you get frustrated ... It's going to get out of hand.” (35:36)
• On conference romances: “If they're both single... that's fun, like, see, dry it out, like, you know, you could maybe be married one day. But I just...com[men]ters make me nervous.” (69:00)
• On Kansas: “I enjoy a lot of things in life and I love a lot of things. I'm not really a hater. ... but I absolutely hate Kansas.” (71:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Response to Skip Bayless and thoughts on Caitlin Clark: 23:58–31:21
• WNBA officiating, Lexi’s injuries: 32:29–36:55
• Branding and signature shoes discussion: 18:03–22:59
• Kickball league and coed games: 13:32–17:37
• Caitlin’s Logo/Branding: 18:12–19:19
• Chiefs/NFL talk: 37:36–46:17
• Chiefs trivia: 46:23–56:30
• Listener voicemails (WNBA, dating, border war): 57:12–66:56

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is energetic and unfiltered, alternating between laugh-out-loud humor, Midwestern nostalgia, sharp sports analysis, and candid personal admissions. Sophie’s frankness—about controversies, endorsements, bodily mishaps, and her sport’s evolution—anchors the show’s authenticity, while West brings context, banter, and light-hearted commentary.

This episode offers a rich, inside look at women’s basketball culture, media critique, and sports fandom, with a dose of irreverence and real-world wisdom.

Best For: Fans of women’s basketball, Midwestern sports culture, and anyone interested in raw, unpolished athlete perspectives—plus those seeking advice on both sports and life, delivered with a wink.