Nate Cunningham, Sports Illustrated Journalist Profile

Articles

A Brief History of WNBA Expansion

3 weeks ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

The WNBA is expanding, with three new franchises set to join the league in the next few years and a brand new team currently playing in 2025. Riding a high of popularity thanks in large part (albeit not entirely) from Caitlin Clark, the WNBA is being watched more than ever. But it wasn't always like this. In fact, the league has pretty humble beginnings, starting with less than 10 teams 28 years ago. Let's take a look back at the history of expansion in the WNBA.
The Lowest Seed to win the NBA Finals

3 weeks ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

Throughout the history of the NBA, the top-end teams tend to bring home the gold. In fact, out of 78 NBA champions, 68 of them have either been a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Just eight No. 3 seeds have won the Finals, along with one No. 4 seed. A team seeded No. 5, 7 or 8 has never won a championship. Just one No. 6 seed has: The 1995 Houston Rockets. The story of the 1994–95 Houston Rockets, simply put, is one of resiliency.
Fastest Belmont Stakes Times in History

3 weeks ago | miamiherald.com | Nate Cunningham

The third and final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, provides a unique challenge to both the horses and jockeys competing. Coming in at 1.5 miles, the ' Run for the Carnations' has become synonymous with endurance. It isn't enough to just be fast-a jockey must strategize and know exactly when and how to push his horse, because plenty of lightning-quick thoroughbreds have lost their steam heading into the final turn.
Highest-Paid NHL Players of All Time

3 weeks ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

The NHL, like all major sports leagues, has seen a massive evolution in salaries over its history. From modest beginnings with four-figure salaries to today's near $20 million contracts, the league has made something incredible clear: It values its athletes. Today, we'll be taking a look at the highest-paid NHL players of all time. Unlike the MLB and NBA, which use a luxury tax system, the NHL uses a hard salary cap. That means each team has a strict payroll limit it must adhere to.
Youngest NBA Players in 2024-25 and All Time

3 weeks ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

For every professional basketball player, there's an intriguing story to accompany them. Most of those include a hefty dose of uncertainty. However, for the youngest players in league history—those who should have been closer to say, a high school mathematics class than an NBA arena—the story is uncertainty. After all, there's really nothing that can prepare someone for the speed and intensity of the NBA.
Every Player to Win Playoff MVP

3 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Nate Cunningham

Postseason success is what every athlete, from middle school to the pros, dreams of. When the stage is biggest, when the lights are brightest, who is able to go above and beyond to secure victory? That's why one of the most prestigious awards in professional hockey is the Conn Smythe Trophy. It isn't just a symbol of excellence for one game, but rather a monument to an individual who was able to carry his team to success throughout the entirety of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
WWE Money in the Bank 2025 Full Card, Start Time & How to Watch

1 month ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

WWE's next Premium Live Event (PLE) is Money in the Bank. Now considered one of the company's "Big Five" shows of the year, Money in the Bank is similar to the Royal Rumble in that it sets major storylines in motion. Because of this, fans are keen to tune in and see if their favorite wrestler is deemed worthy of a main event run in the near(ish) future. The 2025 show is no different, with a number of fan favorites already involved in the traditional ladder matches.
Worst Records in NBA History: Looking at the Saddest Seasons of All Time

1 month ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

Over the course of its long and illustrious history, the NBA has seen dynamic players create dynasties that dominated. There have been iconic performances, incredible underdog stories and unmatched athleticism on display. There's also been some pretty atrocious teams. In many ways, being terrible makes a team just as memorable as being great. There's something about watching a trainwreck (figuratively) that sticks in our memories.
¿Quién es Larry O'Brien y por qué el trofeo de las Finales de la NBA lleva su nombre?

1 month ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr., más conocido como Larry O'Brien, da nombre al trofeo más prestigioso de la NBA. Sin embargo, O'Brien nunca jugó un partido importante de baloncesto en su vida. Entonces, ¿por qué el trofeo del campeonato de la NBA se llama Trofeo Larry O'Brien? Veámoslo en detalle. O'Brien nació el 7 de julio de 1917 en Springfield, Massachusetts, la ciudad considerada la cuna del baloncesto.
Every Team in the 2025 WCWS Field: Record, Star Players and Path to Oklahoma City

1 month ago | si.com | Nate Cunningham

The path to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series (WCWS) is a long one filled with ups and downs over the course of a grueling softball season. For the eight teams that run through the gauntlet and qualify for the WCWS, the reward is a shot at a national championship. All that stands in each team's way are seven other programs vying for the same title. All the records have reset, and we're back to a double-elimination setting for these eight programs. That means every at-bat is crucial.