Fever's Sophie Cunningham clears the air amid contract chatter

TL;DR

Sophie Cunningham expressed dissatisfaction with her free agency process on her podcast, revealing her one-year contract with the Indiana Fever fell short of her expectations. Despite a pay increase from a new collective bargaining agreement, she described the experience as 'frustrating.'

Key points

Sophie Cunningham signed a one-year contract with the Indiana Fever
She expressed dissatisfaction with her free agency process
Cunningham received a pay increase from a new collective bargaining agreement
Her 2025 season ended prematurely due to a knee injury
Cunningham is a fan favorite on the Fever team

Sophie CunninghamIndiana Fever

Fever's Sophie Cunningham clears the air amid contract chatter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On the latest episode of her "Show Me Something" podcast, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham seemed to express some dissatisfaction with her free agency process, which led to her re-signing with the Fever on a one-year contract.

Cunningham, a seven-year veteran, told her podcast co-host West Wilson that the offer she received from Indiana fell a bit below her expectations.

MORE:Sophie Cunningham says quiet part out loud about Fever contract

While she is getting a substantial pay bump following the ratification of a historic new collective bargaining agreement, the sharpshooting Cunningham -- whose 2025 season ended prematurely due to a knee injury -- called her free agency "frustrating," even if it resulted in her re-signing with a team where she proved to be an immediate fan favorite.

"That was kind of frustrating because I'm someone who... I kinda shoot it straight, where if I wasn't feeling good or I was hesitant, I think I would have said something and been honest," Cunningham said on her podcast. "Because I'm just at the point in my career where I just want to win."

Amid a wave of online speculation, Cunningham "shut down" the discourse on Tuesday morning, when she took to X to clarify her stance on her new contract.

"I'm not mad about the money," Cunningham wrote. "I just wanted more years because I love it here. I wanted to get a house so I could bring my dog and donkey to Indy with me. That's it."

Q&A

What did Sophie Cunningham say about her contract with the Indiana Fever?

Sophie Cunningham mentioned on her podcast that her contract offer from the Indiana Fever was below her expectations, describing the free agency process as frustrating.

How long is Sophie Cunningham's new contract with the Fever?

Sophie Cunningham signed a one-year contract with the Indiana Fever.

What impact did the new collective bargaining agreement have on Cunningham's pay?

The new collective bargaining agreement provided Cunningham with a substantial pay bump, despite her frustrations with the free agency process.