Sophie Cunningham Clarifies Comments on Fever Contract, Explains Why Deal Was 'Frustrating'

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has clarified a recent comment in which she described her "frustrating" contract negotiations with the club.

Cunningham explained that her frustration stemmed from the length of the deal in part because "I love it" in Indiana and hoped to buy a house in the state.

Cunningham made the comment about being frustrated on her podcast, noting her performance last season and being fully cleared from the knee injury that ended her 2025 prematurely seemingly warranted a bigger offer than she received.

"It's tough because I came off an injury, and like, I haven't been in front of any teams, like I had a lot going on this offseason. I was fully cleared, they had all the doctors, they had the numbers and everything. But if you don't get in front of these people, then it's like 'hey, are you actually good?' I'm not even gonna lie to you, though, it's like a little, kind of, frustrating."

Cunningham signed a one-year deal worth $665,000 to return to the Fever. She originally joined the team in January 2025 after being acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Mercury.

The Missouri alum appeared in 30 games with the Fever last year averaging 8.6 points on a career-high 43.2 percent three-point shooting. Her season ended early when she tore the MCL in her right knee in a win over the Connecticut Sun.

Training camps opened across the WNBA on Sunday. Cunningham and the Fever will open preseason play on Saturday before tipping off the regular season on May 9 against the Dallas Wings.