Sophie Cunningham’s brutal honesty made her a fan favorite in Phoenix, and in the latest episode of her podcast, she addressed the WNBA’s scheduling crisis. When the Indiana Fever guard was asked about player injuries, she gave her unfiltered take on the league’s relentless pace, and how it’s breaking down veteran players who can’t afford to stop.
Why Is Sophie Cunningham Warning Veterans Against Year-Round Play?
The WNBA is now reaching the final stages of the regular season, and with games piling up, so are the injuries. The WNBA campaign squeezes 40 games into a 116-day cycle, creating a punishing schedule that takes a serious toll on athletes. Players face the grueling reality of back-to-back games, and big-name stars like Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers have all missed time due to injuries.
The scheduling strain became personal for Cunningham and the Fever when they had to play in Connecticut on July 15 before traveling to New York the next day to take on the Liberty. That exhausting turnaround prompted a candid discussion on her podcast “Show Me Something,” which she co-hosts with West Wilson.
When asked about the scheduling crisis and potential solutions, the outspoken Missouri native delivered her trademark directness. “Here’s my thing on this. We are always going to have back-to-back games,” said Cunningham on the latest episode of “Show Me Something.” “If we are asking to get paid more, then we are going to have to produce more product.”
However, Cunningham’s most urgent message targeted veteran players who continue pushing their bodies beyond safe limits.
“You have to be really smart, especially the older that you get. I think college kids, and maybe two years out of college, you can do it. But you can’t be playing year-round anymore,” Cunningham warned. “You have to give your body some type of break.”
The financial reality behind Cunningham’s warning reveals the impossible choice facing WNBA players. While NBA superstar LeBron James made $48.7 million last year from the Los Angeles Lakers, Clark, arguably the biggest name in the WNBA, will earn $78,066 in salary in 2025 from the Fever.
This massive pay gap forces players to continue competing during the offseason, as many travel abroad to play in Turkey, Russia, and Italy to supplement their income. This essentially eliminates any recovery time for their bodies.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Liberty forward Breanna Stewart recognized this dilemma when they founded the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league this year. The new competition offers players a competitive offseason tournament while providing additional income, potentially giving athletes a domestic alternative to overseas play.
The scheduling crisis has become a central issue as the players’ association and league currently negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for the upcoming season. With the WNBA experiencing rapid growth over recent years, both parties face pressure to reach terms that provide players with suitable compensation and ample rest time between games.
