One candid courtside moment, one bold T-shirt, and one accidental sit — that’s all it took for WNBA star Sophie Cunningham to break the internet. The Phoenix Mercury guard isn’t just trending for her gameplay anymore. She’s gone viral for a combination of confidence, humor, and an unexpected brand shout-out that Arby’s couldn’t ignore.
With the internet ablaze and fans dubbing her the “WNBA’s queen of cool,” this viral trifecta — from her “Hot Girls Eat Arby’s” shirt to a hilariously unintentional moment involving a cameraman — has sparked laughter, memes, and, of course, an endorsement deal in the making.
What Sparked the Buzz?
It started with a courtside photo. Sophie Cunningham was spotted wearing a crop top boldly printed with the phrase:
“Hot Girls Eat Arby’s.”
Within hours, social media platforms lit up with posts celebrating the shirt’s boldness, relatability, and meme-worthy energy. Gen Z humor, fast food culture, and WNBA fandom collided — and the image quickly made the rounds across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
The Cameraman Sit Moment
But that wasn’t all. During a timeout, Cunningham unknowingly sat on a courtside cameraman, leading to a hilarious moment that was captured on national broadcast. The clip immediately went viral — spawning remixes, fan reactions, and even commentary from fellow athletes.
It wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t staged. It was just classic Sophie — unapologetically herself, and now a favorite of sports meme culture.
Arby’s Responds — And Cashes In
The viral wave didn’t go unnoticed by Arby’s. Within 48 hours, the fast food brand acknowledged the moment with a tweet:
“We’ve got the meats… and the girls who eat ‘em.”
Shortly after, sources hinted that Cunningham may be in talks with Arby’s for an official endorsement — one that could include merch, commercials, and NIL-style social collaborations.
For Arby’s, this is an influencer moment done right — leveraging cultural heat with authenticity and humor.
Why This Matters
In a league constantly fighting for more media attention and mainstream visibility, Cunningham’s viral moment signals a shift. Personality-driven content, crossover appeal, and bold individuality are helping WNBA stars reach new audiences beyond basketball.
With more athletes leaning into humor, fashion, and viral moments, Sophie Cunningham may have just set the playbook for 2025 sports branding — bold slogans, off-court personality, and memes that translate into money.
Reactions Across the Internet
-
Sports blogs called it “the most unintentionally brilliant marketing moment of the season.”
-
Fashion Twitter praised the casual, confident energy of the Arby’s shirt.
-
Fans joked, “Sophie is the new face of fast food feminism.”
-
Brands are now keeping a closer eye on WNBA personalities — for all the right reasons.
Final Takeaway
In an era where a shirt can spark a movement and a moment can drive millions of views, Sophie Cunningham just proved that authenticity is the real brand power. From the sideline to the social feed — she’s not just playing the game, she’s winning it on all fronts.