Sophie Cunningham’s offseason should’ve been quiet. She re-signed with the Indiana Fever, returning to the same team while rehabbing the MCL tear that cut her 2025 season short.
However, a recent podcast segment seems to have changed the entire narrative, as her comments regarding her contract situation did not sit well with everyone.
Sophie Cunningham’s Podcast Comments on Her Fever Contract Draw Heat
On the latest episode of “Show Me Something,” co-host West Wilson asked Cunningham if the contract turned out better than expected. With the WNBA ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement, players are seeing their salaries soar.
Without hesitating, Cunningham shook her head. “I’m not even gonna lie… it’s a little, kind of, frustrating,” she explained, adding that her injury made it tough for her to maximize her value. “It was a little weird, but you know what? I think this is a great wake-up call to not be comfortable. I think it kind of lit a fire under my ass even more.”
Cunningham signed a one-year, $665,000 deal with Indiana. After this comment went viral, responses poured in from all directions.
A Fever-focused content account came out swinging in her defense, writing, “Told you to all the dweebs in my replies. They screwed Sophie.”
Told you to all the dweebs in my replies. They screwed Sophie. https://t.co/vcSOa83h0u
— CCFC-New season (@sohali2012) April 20, 2026
Another content creator pushed the argument further, connecting the frustration to what they called a broader pattern from the front office.
“Glad she spoke and confirmed what we have been feeling off from her. Fever won’t even allow her to get interviewed at the training camp about her re-signing. What a joke. End of the day, they just don’t see the value she brings.”
Glad she spoke and confirmed what we have been feeling off from her.
Fever won’t even allow her to get interviewed at the training camp about her re-signing. What a joke. End of the day, they just don’t see the value she brings. https://t.co/7EDOcCdJMV
— Mew7777 (@justmew7777) April 20, 2026
Not every reaction leaned her way. Some were surprised that she was speaking out negatively about the contract. One influencer pushed back hard.
“Who tf does she think she is? She’s replaceable, you don’t pay top dollar for plug & play players,” they wrote.
Who tf does she think she is ?
She’s replaceable you don’t pay top dollar for plug & play players https://t.co/RzzPGvLtSn
— Zay✨ (@ZAYYYTHEGOAT) April 20, 2026
One user made the same case through the stat sheet.
“players coming off injuries signed great contracts. maybe averaging 7.9pts in your career has something to do with it,” they wrote.
players coming off injuries signed great contracts. maybe averaging 7.9pts in your career has something to do with it. https://t.co/6sHBl94XF8 pic.twitter.com/DNF9im7vJn
— bellylint (@bellylint4) April 20, 2026
After the podcast clip blew up, Cunningham chimed in to clarify that the $665,000 wasn’t the problem; it was the one-year length that bothered her.
SEE ALSO: Fever Star Caitlin Clark Reveals 1 Major Lesson That She Learned After Long Injury Absence
“I’m gonna shut this down right now. I’m not mad about the money…. I just wanted more years because I love it here,” she wrote. “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!!”
Interestingly, Cunningham told reporters on Tuesday that she had multi-year offers from other WNBA teams, but didn’t receive one from the Fever, which is clearly what frustrated her. She also stressed that her frustration stems from wanting to settle down in Indiana long-term and build something special with this group.
Appreciate Sophie Cunningham’s clarity on all this. Asked her about these comments and if she got a multi-year offer elsewhere even with her deciding to stay in Indiana: https://t.co/xum2jxg19y pic.twitter.com/1QptmL7vNI
— Tony East (@TonyREast) April 21, 2026
Under the new CBA, Indiana’s core all inked new deals. Aliyah Boston signed a four-year, $6.3 million extension, which is the richest contract in the league. Meanwhile, Lexie Hull got two years and over $1.5 million. Kelsey Mitchell re-signed on a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
Cunningham clearly doesn’t like that she received a one-year “prove-it” contract. However, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou recently explained that the one-year deals for Cunningham and Mitchell are likely the result of the Fever front office trying to maintain flexibility ahead of Caitlin Clark’s upcoming EPIC-provision payday. This stands for Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract, and Boston just signed her own EPIC-provision deal recently.
MORE: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Send 3-Word Messages Reacting to 2026 NBA Playoffs
“Not shocking to see Indiana dealing out one-year deals (Kelsey Mitchell too). Remember, Caitlin Clark can get a big salary bump next year under the new EPIC provision…” she wrote. “Fever would have to do some retooling to fit everyone under the cap.”
Cunningham may not like it, but the Fever have a lot of notable players to fit under the cap and are doing their best to keep everyone happy.
Indiana opens the 2026 WNBA season on May 9 against the Dallas Wings.
