Of course, Sophie Cunningham was fuming after Napheesa Collier’s exit interview.  Caitlin Clark’s ‘enforcer’ immediately vented in the Instagram comments.”People only know Cathy because of C…. She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen,” Cunningham wrote in one comment. She continued on the same breath in another comment, “AND IT SHOULDN’T EVER BE ABOUT OUR COMMISSIONER IN THE FIRST PLACE.” And fans knew more fireworks were certain when it came to the exit interview.

“I’m just tired of our league… Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable… I think there are a lot of people in position of power in the WNBA who they might be really great business people, but they don’t know shit about basketball.” She said. While Cunningham’s frustration with league leadership took much of the spotlight, her words on the Fever revealed a different side,  one of fondness and loyalty.

“I have loved being here. And I don’t think that’s um, news to anybody. I think that just being back in the Midwest and being around girls who you truly do love, like I’ve been in the league for seven years and I’ve never been a part of a team like this. And so when you’ve been through this type of season together, when um you’re invested in each other’s lives outside of basketball, um of course you want to come back.” Cunningham said. 

Cunningham has been a fan favorite while quickly forming a close bond with the team. The “tres leches’ with Cunningham, Clark, and Lexie Hull were the talk of the town during the season. Even after her injury, she supported the team in the same aggressive style she played with, protesting against the referees at every turn and cheering the best plays. 

Still, affection for her teammates doesn’t erase the business realities of the league, and Cunningham acknowledged the tough decisions ahead with free agency looming, “I’m definitely going to be entertaining other teams, other offers. But my hope is, you know, I’ve had a great time here, and I would like to continue that, but I also think with the new CBA, there’s a lot on the line. And so, um, I might be blonde, but I can’t just not look at other opportunities.”

Well, each of these points is interrelated, so you can’t blame Cunningham for not committing at this stage. The CBA negotiations are yet to be finalized, and we don’t know what the new salaries will look like. Cunningham came to the Fever through a trade after she signed a one-year extension with the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 season worth $100,000, and she will become an unrestricted free agent. Despite the overwhelming love in Indiana, any professional will take the same approach as Cunningham. In any case, even the Indiana Fever might not want her back. 

Sophie Cunningham’s Indiana Return Depends On Front Office Approach

Cunningham’s 2025 with the Fever had some high points, but looking at it as a whole, she did not have the extent of impact the Fever front office was hoping for. And that’s not completely her fault either. In her own words, “This season was amazing in so many ways. … But it was also a season from hell.” She was among the Fever’s ‘hospital squad’, playing 30 games this year with 13 starts, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, while shooting at a career best 43.2% from the 3-point line and 46.9% from the field. 

A change from Cunningham will depend on the cost vs output. If a new wing requires excessive investment, then the Fever could bet on Cunningham to continue. The Fever already upgraded their squad significantly in 2025, and the CBA situation gives them two paths: to reset again or keep a consistent core.  

If they opt for a reset. Like Sophie Cunningham mentioned, the CBA situation is complicated. If everything is finalised on time and the free agency starts on time in January, almost the entire league enters free agency, and the Fever have a chance to sign a better wing than Cunningham. If they continue investing in this current group with slight tweaks, Cunningham’s brand and marketing value keep her away from the small changes, and Fever could pitch in more to retain her. 

They also have an expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, potentially losing two players. Cunningham could go in that draft if Indiana doesn’t core her, and Kelsey Mitchell seems a lock for that position. So, Cunningham’s situation with the Fever remains in the grey and changing according to the situation.