Sophie Cunningham Calls Out 'Thirsty' Critics in Video Ahead of 2027 WNBA Free Agency

Ahead of her potential foray into WNBA free agency, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham addressed her detractors on Friday.

Speaking during the latest episode of No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham and Drew Hanlen (beginning at the 2:30 mark of the podcast), Cunningham suggested that she is no longer concerning herself with fan criticism:

"That's why I literally don't even care what anyone says about me anymore," Cunningham said. "I've said this so many times, if you're going to live by the praise, you're going to die by the hate. The majority of these people have never picked up a ball in their entire lives, and they're just, like, thirsty to have attention or be relevant in some type of way. No matter what anyone says to me, I'm gonna continue to do me. I know what I bring to the table. It's not always in the stat sheet. So for you to not say I'm effective or any of that, whatever. Suck it."

Cunningham, 30, is an eight-year WNBA veteran who has spent the past two seasons with the Fever, following a six-year run as a member of the Phoenix Mercury.

She started a career-low three of the 43 games she appeared in for Indiana this past season, but she was a key contributor off the bench nonetheless, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.2 assists per game.

Cunningham's biggest contribution was her work from behind the arc, as she shot 41.9 percent from distance, which ranked fifth in the WNBA season.

She has shot 40 percent or better from downtown in a season four times in her career, which figures to make her a sought-after commodity on the free-agent market by the Fever or potentially even a different team.

The Fever's 2026 season came to an end last week when they fell to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Star players Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are under contract for Indiana next season, but Cunningham is eligible for free agency, as is four-time All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell.

If one or both of Cunningham and Mitchell sign elsewhere, the Fever could have a much different look next season, even with Clark and Boston still in the fold.