dailyloe.com – The Indiana Fever will kick off their 2026 WNBA season on Saturday afternoon. Sophie Cunningham is set to arrive at the arena in a striking outfit. This game marks a matchup against the Dallas Wings in Indiana.
Cunningham, a former second-round pick, is entering her eighth season in the WNBA. She previously played six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury and is now in her second season with the Fever after re-signing during the offseason.
The star player signed a one-year, $665,000 contract to remain in Indiana for another season. This year marks the first under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, resulting in increased salaries for WNBA players.
Despite the pay increase, Cunningham expressed some disappointment regarding the length of her contract. She stated, ‘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.’
Additionally, Cunningham shared her aspirations, mentioning she wanted to purchase a house in Indiana to accommodate her dog and donkey, saying, ‘I think we have something very special here in Indiana.’
Before Caitlin Clark gained prominence in Indiana, Cunningham was not widely recognized among casual basketball fans. Her visibility surged after a notable incident last season when she defended Clark during a game against the Connecticut Sun.
During that game, Clark was fouled and subsequently injured, prompting Cunningham to step in and commit a hard foul on one of the players responsible. This action gained her a significant following as fans appreciated her protective stance.
Furthermore, Cunningham has been vocal about the league’s inadequacies in protecting Clark, expressing frustration over the resentment directed toward the star guard due to her popularity.
