Birthdays are supposed to be the sweet spot of the year, right? But step inside the Fever locker room right now, and that sentiment feels almost cursed. First came Sydney Colson, who celebrated her birthday only to have her season end the very next day. Then Sophie Cunningham blew out her candles, and within 24 hours, an MCL cut hers short too. With Natasha Howard, Lexie Hull, and Mikayla Timpson’s birthdays now looming on the calendar, Cunningham admitted the team is half-joking, half-fearing, “Do they play or do they not play?” It’s a valid concern for a roster drowning in injuries.

And while they’ll have to push through the grind, Cunningham’s eyes are already drifting toward the offseason. And the why is perfectly seasoned, as one would expect from “Spicy Sophie“. Well, let’s begin with how the same voice that brought Sophie the riches of clicks and attention also burned a hole in her pocket. The Indiana Fever guard has now built up quite the timeline of fines, and interestingly enough, they’ve all stemmed from things she’s said or done far away from the hardwood. On her latest podcast, “Show Me Something” episode, Cunningham made it official, “I’m officially three for three on being fined by the WNBA.”

Her track record with the league has been building all season. First came a $500 fine back on July 23, after a TikTok post where she lip-synched to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Manchild.” That video included digs at “some refs” being “stupid,” “slow,” or “useless.” Then, on August 5, she revealed on her podcast that the WNBA had slapped her with a $1,500 fine for blasting officiating during the premiere episode. And now, fine number three has arrived. Cunningham shared, “They didn’t like my comments on Paige Bueckers. I didn’t even say anything bad.” Her co-host, West Wilson, couldn’t believe it, blurting out, “Holy s–t. For this for the pod again?” So, what exactly did Cunningham say?

For some context, following the Fever’s one-point loss to the Dallas Wings earlier this week, she didn’t hold back on her feelings about the whistle. Cunningham explained that rookie Paige Bueckers seemed to be on the favorable side of things. “I love Paige to death,” she said. “Do not get me wrong. I think she’s a helluva player. But those refs were giving her every freakin’ whistle last night.” Bueckers brushed it off, simply replying, “Everyone is entitled to their own unique personal opinion.” But the league? Well, they didn’t. The WNBA made Cunningham’s wallet the target once again. Now, you might think this would push Cunningham into playing it safe, maybe toning down the takes. But, not at all!

In fact, she’s got a plan. A revenge plan. “I just can’t wait till off season so that I can rip them and then they can’t fine me,” she said on the podcast. Her co-host pressed, asking, “So you can’t be fined in the winter?” Cunningham replied, “Are they? I’m not getting a paycheck in the winter.”

Wilson, as confused as everyone else, pointed out that technically, since she’s still an employee. But Cunningham explained how the looming CBA situation changes everything. “It’s funny because we’re in a new CBA so we all no one’s going to be under contract. So, I’ll either get kicked out of the league or just get targeted next year.”

And she’s not wrong. The current CBA was supposed to run through 2027. But when the WNBPA exercised its opt-out clause last October, it set the expiration date to October 31, 2025. Once it ends, players won’t technically be under contract until a new agreement is in place. That’s where Cunningham sees her offseason window to speak her mind freely. For now, it’s clear Sophie Cunningham has no plans of quieting down, fines or not. Hopefully, her fears of being “targeted next year” don’t come true. This league is better than that.

Until then, fans can only wait to see just how far Cunningham takes her voice once the paycheck stops. For now, though, alongside teasing her revenge plan, Cunningham also put an end to the growing hate arc surrounding Bria Hartley.

Sophie Cunningham clears the air on Mom’s comments about Bria Hartley 

Sophie Cunningham is officially out for the season after tearing her MCL. The injury came after Sun guard Bria Hartley collided with Cunningham’s knee, leaving the guard needing help off the floor. The heartbreaking moment sparked an emotional response from Cunningham’s family. Her sister, Lindsey Cunningham, aimed her frustration at the league. But while Lindsey’s frustration was directed at the league, much of the conversation online quickly turned toward Hartley. 

Social media critics accused the Sun guard of foul play, with some even sending hate her way. Cunningham, though, made sure to shut that down on her latest podcast. “I know Bria and I’m actually really good friends with Bria,” she said. “… I think there was no ill intent. I have nothing but love for Bria. I hope people stop giving Bria some heat because I don’t think she meant to do that at all.”

Cunningham also addressed a since-deleted tweet from her mom, Paula, who had taken to social media in the aftermath of the collision. Paula had posted, “Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she’s plain mean and plays out of control.” But Sophie was quick to clarify that wasn’t the case.

“I even told my mom because she tweeted something. I was like, ‘No Mom, I get it. I promise, Bria and I are super cool and she would never try to hurt me.’” Adding to the noise was a viral photo of Hartley smiling after the play, which some fans interpreted as malicious. Cunningham shot that idea down, too, insisting she never saw Hartley’s reaction as taking pleasure in her injury. In the end, for her, the injury was simply bad luck in the middle of a hard-fought game. “It was a basketball play,” she reminded listeners.

Even so, the setback is a crushing blow for Cunningham and an Indiana team already riddled with injuries. With key pieces sidelined, the Fever will now have to find new ways to navigate the grind.