Fever’s Cunningham highlights cultural divide in Canada after steak sauce snub
Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark share observations on Canadian dining habits and arena conditions during the team’s inaugural visit to Toronto.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has drawn attention to the subtle cultural divergences between the United States and Canada following the team’s first trip north to face the Toronto Tempo. Speaking to the media ahead of the Fever’s victory, Cunningham recounted an incident that underscored the distinct culinary preferences across the border.
Cunningham revealed that staff at a Canadian restaurant were unfamiliar with steak sauce when she requested it. While the condiment is available in Canada, the guard noted that local establishments often favour British-style brown sauces, such as HP, over the American brands commonly found in the United States.
The visit to Toronto represents a logistical exception for the WNBA. Unlike the NBA, which frequently schedules cross-border fixtures, WNBA teams typically limit their travel north of the border to a single trip per season due to geographical constraints. This scarcity of northern games makes such trips notable events for both players and fans.
Off the court, the conditions at Scotiabank Arena also came under scrutiny. Teammate Caitlin Clark commented on the stifling environment inside the venue, suggesting that improved air conditioning would be beneficial for player comfort during the match.
Cunningham also addressed the crowd’s reaction during the game, jokingly attributing the heavy boos to a viral video in which she expressed a dislike for Canada’s ketchup chips. Her remarks served as a humorous deflection regarding the atmosphere at the arena.
