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 New York Liberty from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Sophie Cunningham shuts down Fever contract frustration convo
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
