Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever reacted to Angel Reese’s runway debut and said it inspired her to aim for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, sparking conversation about the growing bridge between professional basketball and high fashion. This piece looks at Cunningham’s reaction, the cultural momentum behind athletes on runways, and what this trend means for visibility and opportunity in sports and style.
Sophie Cunningham has been building a profile beyond the court with a confident, fashion-forward presence that fans notice. After Angel Reese stepped onto a runway in a moment many called history-making, Cunningham publicly praised the debut and said she hopes to follow with her own Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show appearance. That kind of aspiration highlights how athletes see fashion as a stage where sport and culture meet.
Angel Reese’s runway moment resonated widely because it represented more than a single appearance. For many observers it signaled that athletes can claim space in mainstream fashion without leaving their athletic identity behind. When players cross into runways or campaigns, it shifts the narrative about who belongs in high-profile fashion events and who gets to set trends.
Fans and industry watchers have noticed that WNBA players bring a distinct blend of athleticism, charisma, and cultural influence that brands want to tap into. That mix creates new opportunities for sponsorships, collaborations, and media attention that benefit both players and brands. As more players assert style identities, the fashion world adapts, offering diverse casting and new storytelling angles.
For Cunningham, expressing a desire to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is also a declaration of ambition beyond basketball. It shows how modern athletes map careers across multiple platforms, using social media, personal branding, and high-visibility events to expand their reach. These moves are strategic as well as personal, allowing players to build legacies that last after their playing days.
There is also a practical side to this shift: representation matters in measurable ways for younger fans who see players like Cunningham and Reese on runways and screens. When athletes from different backgrounds appear in major fashion spaces, it normalizes diversity and gives aspiring models and sports fans examples to follow. That ripple effect helps shape both industries over time.
Critics sometimes argue that fashion detours distract from on-court performance, but many players balance both worlds carefully. The modern athlete often trains, plays, and prepares for media roles with a team behind them, just like their training staff and coaches. Those systems make crossover success more realistic and sustainable for players who want to pursue multiple interests.
At the same time, brands and showrunners face choices about authenticity and inclusion when they invite athletes to high-profile events. Meaningful partnerships honor the athlete’s voice and cultural impact rather than treating them as novelties. When athletes are centered authentically, the collaboration feels earned and can elevate both the brand and the athlete’s platform.
Public reactions to Cunningham’s comment have been mixed, with many cheering the idea and others waiting to see how it unfolds in practice. Regardless, the exchange highlights a growing expectation: athletes can and will move fluidly between sport and fashion. That reality keeps both industries interesting and opens doors for the next generation of players.
