Sophie’s Arby’s Shirt Just BROKE the WNBA?! 800K Sales in 1 Day — Angel Reese Reacts!

The WNBA has had its share of viral moments over the past few years, but nothing quite like this. This week, an unexpected fashion choice by Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham lit the internet on fire—and, according to reports, the Arby’s-themed shirt she debuted has literally shattered league records for merchandise sales. 800,000 shirts, gone in a single day! The frenzy even got Chicago Sky rookie sensation Angel Reese to weigh in, adding fuel to the cultural bonfire.

But how did a fast food pun and a bold athlete become the talk of professional basketball overnight? And what does it mean for the WNBA’s future? Let’s break down this jaw-dropping story of branding brilliance, celebrity hype, and a league on the verge of pop-culture domination.

The Shirt That Started It All: “I Have the Meats!”

It began as a playful nod to Arby’s famous tagline. On Wednesday night, Sophie Cunningham, fresh off a clutch performance, arrived for Indiana Fever press availability in a simple white tee. In bold, unmistakable red font: “I HAVE THE MEATS.”

Those in the know cracked up immediately—a sly in-joke referencing Arby’s advertising, yes, but also a confident, tongue-in-cheek twist on the athlete’s own reputation for toughness and “grinding” on the court. Social media caught on within minutes. Memes exploded across Twitter, TikTok shamelessly reposted the post-game interview, and Instagram’s comment sections couldn’t decide whether Sophie’s shirt or her on-court hustle was more legendary.

But the real magic was yet to come.

From Post-Game Joke to Merch Maniac

What happened next stunned even seasoned sports marketers. Seizing the viral moment, the Fever’s online store (with an instant assist from Arby’s official Twitter) dropped a near-identical “I HAVE THE MEATS” shirt as official team merchandise—net proceeds to benefit local charities. The drop had barely gone live before servers buckled under the demand.

In 24 hours: 800,000 shirts sold. By comparison, the best-selling jersey in recent WNBA history moved just 25,000 in a season. Even Nike execs were gobsmacked, sources say.

The fever for Fever gear (pun intended) rippled far outside basketball circles. NBA players showed up on game day wearing the shirt for laughs. Megan Thee Stallion wore one to a club. Fast-food rivals Wendy’s and Burger King playfully beefed about the phenomenon online. Even Arby’s CEO chimed in, promising free curly fries to anyone spotted in the merch.

Angel Reese Reacts — And the League Listens

But perhaps the best reaction came from one of this year’s most electrifying rookies, Angel Reese. Known for her own outsized persona and unapologetic confidence, the Chicago Sky star wasted no time hopping on Instagram Live after Indiana’s game.

“Y’all, Sophie is out here breaking records in a roast beef tee?” Angel cackled to nearly 60,000 live viewers. “Girl, get your coins! And wait til you see what I’m dropping next. WNBA: We HAVE the moments, period.”

Reese’s endorsement (and playful threat of her own viral drop) only fueled more attention for the WNBA. Within hours, rumors swirled that other teams were already designing “fast food fits” for their players, and brands from Taco Bell to Popeyes were reportedly in talks to collaborate on limited-edition gear.

A Viral Tsunami With Real Impact

This wasn’t just internet silliness. The Sophie-Arby’s phenomenon shined a powerful spotlight on how the WNBA’s youngest stars understand—and drive—the culture. It wasn’t so long ago that female athletes struggled for sneaker deals or national headlines. Now, they’re moving merch like pop royalty, dominating Twitter trends, and using every viral moment to advocate for charities and team initiatives.

• Record-Breaking Merch: The Fever’s online profits are reportedly earmarked to fund STEM programs for girls in Indianapolis, turning a meme into meaningful community impact.
• Brand Power: Reports say Arby’s saw a 30% lift in mobile orders during the viral explosion. The cross-promotion not only lifted Cunningham’s profile but also made the brand cool to an all-new audience.
• League Buzz: For the first time, the WNBA topped the NBA in daily search volume on Google. Networks are reportedly scrambling to add more broadcasts—especially after seeing the social metrics around player personalities.

Sophie’s Take: Humble (and Hilarious) Brag

Asked about her whirlwind 48 hours, Sophie Cunningham was as candid as ever:

“I just thought the shirt was funny! I love Arby’s, I love beef on and off the court, you know? If it makes people smile and helps the city, I’ll wear it every game. Maybe Arby’s will sponsor my next post-game press conference—stack me some curly fries and we’ll talk championships!”

The crowd erupted. A few minutes later, Cunningham posted a selfie on Instagram Stories—this time in a reworked shirt reading: “I Have the WINS.”

What Comes Next for the WNBA?

Underneath the memes and merch, there’s a serious lesson for every sports league—especially women’s leagues hungry for mainstream attention. Athletes like Sophie Cunningham and Angel Reese are building brands in real time, cultivating followings that transcend the traditional playbook of highlight reels and cautious press releases. They blur the line between athlete and entertainer, and fans love it.

If 800,000 people can clamor for a sandwich-themed shirt in one day, imagine what happens when the next viral moment drops. Suddenly, league economics shift. TV networks answer fan demand. Endorsement dollars grow. Most importantly, little girls watching see superstars doing everything—hooping, laughing, making impact, and setting the trends everyone wants to follow.

One thing’s for sure: in the WNBA, the stars have more than the meats. They’ve got the whole world watching. And that’s a winning recipe.