The WNBA’s Unscripted MVP: Why Sophie Cunningham and Her Donkey, Mark, Are Winning the Internet
A Welcome Dose of Humanity
In an era where professional sports are dominated by high-stakes rivalries, intense political scrutiny, and a relentless 24/7 news cycle, fans are often left craving a simple, authentic connection to their heroes. The WNBA, having recently navigated historic viewership spikes and deep internal debates, is no exception to this pressure cooker environment. Yet, in a truly unexpected and perfectly timed moment, one player delivered the exact dose of lighthearted, genuine humanity the internet needed: Sophie Cunningham and her donkey.
The video, which immediately went viral and became a massive social media talking point, is as simple as it is endearing. It features the Phoenix Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham in her element—back home and off the court—introducing the world to her beloved donkey, Mark. The premise? A spontaneous experiment to see if Mark, standing right out in the yard, would prefer a traditional carrot or the exotic surprise of a blueberry.
Spoiler alert: Mark loves blueberries.
The short, funny clip has transcended sports pages, bubbling up across social platforms because it offers a stark, refreshing contrast to the fierce competitor fans are accustomed to seeing under the bright lights of the arena. This is Cunningham the animal lover, the person with a goofy, relatable sense of humor, and the person who, just like the rest of us, has charmingly messy domestic moments. It’s the kind of content that proves the strongest connections in modern sports are forged not through dunks and buzzer-beaters, but through vulnerability and the unscripted truth of everyday life.
Beyond the Box Score: The Power of Relatability
Why did a video of a WNBA star feeding a donkey a blueberry resonate so powerfully? The answer lies in the intense, often manufactured nature of celebrity. Athletes are frequently reduced to their professional personas—the aggressive scorer, the fierce defender, the unwavering leader. While these roles are essential, they create a distance between the star and the fan.
Wholesome, unscripted content like this video bridges that gap instantly. It humanizes the player, transforming a high-profile athlete into a relatable, three-dimensional person. For Cunningham, known for her grit and intensity, the video reveals a softer, country-girl charm, highlighting a personality trait—being a “big-time animal lover”—that fans would never see on a stat sheet.
This kind of organic, off-court content is invaluable for the WNBA, which is currently leveraging its rising popularity to secure a long-term, loyal audience. When fans feel personally connected to the players, they are more invested in the league’s success, transforming casual viewers into dedicated supporters who follow a player’s journey on and off the court. It makes the viewing experience emotional, not just transactional.
In a recent context where the league has been dominated by debates over player pay, toxic relationships, and political activism, Cunningham’s video is a much-needed moment of levity and innocence. It’s a reminder that at the heart of the game are real people who simply love their lives, their teams, and, in this case, their hilarious, large, long-eared friends.
The New Currency of Fandom
The simple truth is that social media has changed the currency of fandom. Fans no longer want a carefully curated, robotic version of their heroes; they want authenticity. They want to see the human moments that explain who the person is when the jersey comes off.
Cunningham’s video succeeds where polished marketing campaigns often fail because it’s a moment of genuine joy. Her playful back-and-forth with Mark, wondering aloud about his preferences, and even calling him a “good boy,” is disarmingly charming. It speaks to the universal experience of loving a pet—even if that pet happens to be a donkey named Mark. This is the new gold standard for athlete branding: the ability to be excellent on the court while remaining completely, authentically human off of it.
For the WNBA, the viral success of players embracing their quirks is a powerful tool. It allows the league to organically build a multi-faceted brand image—one that can be intensely competitive one moment and hilariously wholesome the next. It’s a crucial step toward creating a league narrative that is comprehensive, inclusive, and emotionally engaging for a wide range of viewers who may be drawn in by a viral donkey video and stay for the talent and passion on the court.
Sophie Cunningham and Mark the donkey are not just a funny footnote in the season; they are a perfect example of how the next generation of WNBA stars is redefining their relationship with the public. By offering a true glimpse behind the scenes, they are showing the world that behind the intense competitor is a human being—a dynamic, relatable, and sometimes slightly goofy, animal-loving personality—who is helping the league grow one blueberry-loving donkey at a time. The internet is certainly better for having met Mark.
