WNBA team slammed over ‘racist’ photoshoot as fans are left outraged
WNBA team Phoenix Mercury has sparked outrage on social media after staging a photo shoot that some fans say is racially insensitive.
During the league’s offseason, Phoenix conducted a shootout with three of their players to build some excitement after the fixtures for the 2025 season were released earlier this week.
The marketing stunt sees security guards Kahleah Copper, Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Cloud perform a number of bizarre poses together while dressed in matching black turtlenecks, light blue jeans and white socks – but one of the poses has caused major controversy.
The photo in question shows Cunningham sitting on Copper while her African-American teammate lies with her feet up on the ground, which has led to accusations of racism online.
“There is no situation on this earth where a white woman should sit on a black woman like a piece of furniture,” said a user on X.
Another said: “Someone from the Phoenix Mercury content creation/social media team needs to be fired tomorrow.”
WNBA fans have accused the Phoenix Mercury of racism towards Kahleah Copper (pictured)
A third fumed: ‘DON’T P*** ME OUT BRO! who approved this pose and why is that lady standing on my sister? why does my girl’s hair touch the floor… y’all are dark for this’.
“Type of racist s*** is this?” asked a fourth.
While one simply wrote: ‘This feels racist.’
DailyMail.com has contacted the Phoenix Mercury for comment.
Copper is gearing up for her second season with the Mercury after being traded from the Chicago Sky prior to the 2024 season.
In her debut campaign, the 30-year-old helped Phoenix reach the first round of the WNBA playoffs, where they were defeated by the Minnesota Lynx.