Sophie Cunningham shuts down Fever contract frustration convo

As Sophie Cunningham prepares for her eighth WNBA season and second year with the Fever, the former Missouri Tigers product set the record straight on X about her apparent frustrations regarding her one-year contract signed with Indiana on April 12.

Per Spotrac, Cunningham’s deal is worth $665,000, which far exceeds her 2025 salary of $100,000, thanks to the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement. However, Cunningham stated that the length of the deal is what drew her ire, as she hoped to sign a long-term contract that would allow her to buy a house in the area and eventually bring along her pet dog and donkeys, Brutus, Kevin, and Mark.

“I’m gonna shut this down right now,” Cunningham stated via X on Monday night. “I’m not mad about the money... 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. That’s the truth. I think we have something very special here in Indiana!!”

In her first season with the Fever, Cunningham averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting 46.9% from the field, 43.2% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-1 guard started in 13 of her 30 games with the Fever before her season ended on Aug. 17, 2025, with a torn left MCL.

Cunningham shared her initial feelings about the new contract during the April 20 episode of the "Show Me Something" podcast, which she co-hosts with West Wilson.

Cunningham clarified her statement during media availability at Fever training camp, saying she wants to be with a franchise where she can get established off the court, while also admitting she chose to stay with Indiana despite other teams offering long-term deals.

Cunningham and the Fever will open their WNBA preseason slate on Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. CT against the from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.