Stepping out in a standout cowgirl-inspired outfit, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham turned heads in the paddock on Sunday. She joined podcast titan Joe Rogan to lead a star-studded VIP crowd at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Fresh off the end of her WNBA season and entering free agency, the veteran guard kicked off her post-season tour by joining a star-studded crowd at the racetrack.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
The VIP paddock in Austin drew quite the eclectic crowd. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz was seen making an appearance. Not far away, culinary icon and known Formula One fanatic Gordon Ramsay soaked up the grid atmosphere, attending the Grand Prix as a family affair with his wife Tana and their son Oscar.
Never one to overdress, the popular podcaster Joe Rogan embraced a relaxed vibe for the Texas racing spectacle. Rogan kept things distinctly casual on the grid, sporting a classic long-sleeved tee and a flat cap.
And it seems that Cunningham’s calendar is already booked solid, and this stop in Austin is only one of the few she is making in the next few days.
“My week looks like going to Austin for F1, heading out to LA for a couple of meetings. Actually gonna go to Dancing with the Stars live with my sister Lindsey,” Cunningham said on her “No Hesitation” podcast. “So that’ll be super fun. Heading out to Phoenix to do another commercial, and then I’ll be back here, and then I’ll be in New York for a little bit of work too.”
The high-profile appearance in Austin highlights Cunningham’s expanding media brand beyond basketball. With podcasting stints, TV appearances, and upcoming commercial shoots on her schedule, attending major events like Formula One allows the free agent to stay in the spotlight while building her national profile during the offseason.
For Cunningham, who is now a free agent, the attention once again turns to her contract situation amid changes at the top level of management for the Indiana Fever.
Sophie Cunningham expresses her thoughts on the Fever’s front office changes
Sophie Cunningham entered the offseason on an expiring one-year deal, making her an unrestricted free agent. Before being let go as the Fever’s general manager, Amber Cox made it clear that Cunningham’s off-court controversies wouldn’t factor into her contract considerations.
“Sophie has had two really productive years for us, in terms of shooting the basketball. She is a really solid leader in the locker room, a great connector. She brings levity, but also brings a lot of experience. She’s serious and is an important voice in our locker room when we need it…,” Cox said.
Yet, when pressed on a firm commitment, Cox remained noncommittal, stating they looked forward to upcoming conversations and would “see just where things take us”. With Cox now out of the front office, Cunningham’s future in Indiana appears even more uncertain.
Naturally, Cox’s sudden ouster after President Kelly Krauskopf stepped down came as a surprise to Cunningham.
“There was not a lot of warning, and that’s OK,” Cunningham said. “I think it’s probably a good thing that you try keep in-house a little bit,” Cunningham said.
However, Cunningham had nothing but love and respect for the outgoing Fever President and General Manager.
“But you know what? Kelly and Amber, they’re phenomenal, phenomenal people. They cared about us as players and as people, not on the court, so I have nothing but great things to say about them. Hopefully, the Fever come in and bring people who can do a really good job with that program,” Cunningham added.
This season, Cunningham proved to be a reliable contributor, especially off the bench, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Appearing in 43 regular-season games, the veteran guard provided crucial floor spacing and efficiency, shooting 46 percent from the field and connecting on 41.9 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc in just 22.2 minutes of playing time.
Whether the Fever gives Cunningham a contract extension, only time will tell. But there is no doubt that few WNBA players have seen their profile skyrocket quite like Sophie Cunningham since her arrival at the Indiana Fever. Originally, she endeared herself to the fanbase by embracing the opportunity to play alongside Caitlin Clark; Cunningham has firmly cemented her status by adopting a gritty, on-court enforcer role.
Even as her second season with the franchise became intertwined with national political controversy surrounding transgender athletes, Cunningham’s value and overall marketability across the league have continued to surge.