Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has hired 24-hour security after experiencing increased public attention and concerns about stalkers.
Cunningham, who is currently a free agent, discussed the decision during Monday’s episode of the “No Hesitation” podcast, explaining that her growing recognition has made everyday activities more difficult.
“I will say… definitely in certain places people kind of knew who I was and i couldn’t really go anywhere,” Cunningham said. “Now it doesn’t matter what state, what city, it’s everywhere.
“And so I’ve hired security and they’re going to start traveling with me actually next week 24/7. So that’s a little different. It kind of stops you from your regular routine.”
The 30-year-old also addressed the criticism she has received following her public comments about transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“I’m still a dweeb, but I think you know that,” she told cohost Drew Hanlen. “… It’s all these people who are so unhappy or just, honestly, psychotic that are so mean and have so much hatred in their heart, and if you want to take it out on me, fine. I’m the one who can handle it.”
During an October 28 appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, Cunningham previously claimed that she was dealing with numerous stalkers.
“There’s also a lot of kind of crazy people to,” Cunningham told Von. “We do have a lot of stalkers, I know I do… And thats’ the negative side of things that people don’t think about… I have 20, I think, people kind of that the FBI are watching for me.”
One man, Kevin Singh, 48, was arrested in June on charges including stalking, intimidation, and harassment after allegedly targeting Cunningham.
The Fever guard also attracted attention for her comments on transgender participation in women’s sports, telling ESPN in July that she wanted to “protect young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
