Coming into the offseason, the Indiana Fever have three players secured for next season, and Sophie Cunningham isn’t one of them. “Technically, I’m not signed to Indiana,” she said. And while she’s interested in returning to play with the most resilient roster, she “will listen to other offers.” But this time, signing her won’t come easily.

When Sophie came to Indiana as part of a four-team trade, she was on a $100,000 contract. In just one year, though, her net worth skyrocketed. She quickly became a fan favorite, also coming to be known as CC’s guardian angel. And that also helped her with three major brand deals: Arby’s, Ring, and Spindrift. Now, as she heads into free agency, she already has a checklist ready.

But this time her goals are quite personal. “The next team I play for, I want a bigger contract so I can buy a house, be homey and cozy,” Sophie shared with a laugh on a recent episode of Show Me Something. And honestly, that’s not too much to ask, especially when she’s got dreams still waiting to be fulfilled.

Well, she’s maintained a home in Phoenix despite her trade to Indy, but that chapter’s closing now. She’s choosing to stay there temporarily for rehab; she’s no longer planning to have a permanent residence in the city. “Like I’m still going to be around because I’m going to do the majority of my rehab out here, but like living here and like having a place here, no. It’s kind of sad, like a chapter ending, but I’m excited for it. It’s been fun, so, you know,” she shared in an earlier episode of her podcast.

So, now, Indiana Fever guard has plans to maintain a triangle between Phoenix, Missouri, and Florida. In fact, she’s already considering buying a house in Florida. “I have clothes and stuff everywhere at this house. I have clothes and stuff everywhere in the Indiana house, stuff in my parents’ house, about to buy a house in Florida. My life is fun,” Cunningham said. She even posted a story lounging on the beach in Florida, tagging it as her “future home.”

Can you blame her? Florida is a great choice for athletes seeking relaxation. However, when it comes to her next basketball destination, things remain uncertain. She didn’t rule out major markets like New York or Minnesota. When her co-host West Wilson said, “that could be the Liberty. It could be New York City. It could also be the Lynx. And it could be Minneapolis. Like, you just don’t know,” Sophie simply replied, “It could be anywhere.”  But the real question is, will she get what she’s asking for?

Well, A bigger contract isn’t a stretch for Sophie. After all, she’s provided Indy with the defense and shooting depth they needed across 30 games. She averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game before her season was cut short by a knee injury in August. For a player who’s proven her value on both ends, asking for a raise isn’t exaggerated. It’s earned.

Sophie first entered the WNBA in 2019, signing a four-year rookie deal with the Phoenix Mercury worth $189,522. As she worked her way into a key role, the team extended her contract for two years (2023–2024), offering her $304,500. But this year, with Indiana, she made just around $100,000-significantly less than her average salary of $152,250 in her previous deal. So yes, she deserves that bigger contract, and as per the latest discussions, it might be coming her way soon! 

How will Sophie get a “bigger contract”?

As per the latest CBA negotiations update, the league reportedly countered with an offer of a supermax salary nearing $850,000 and a veteran minimum of $300,000. If this offer holds, it could mean a major boost for Sophie Cunningham, who’s entering her eighth year in the league. But salary isn’t the only win on the table.

The players’ union is also pushing hard for an equity-based revenue-sharing system. Currently, WNBA players earn around 20–25% of the league’s profits, and the union is making it clear that this number is becoming non-negotiable. “The players are really quite clear and laser-focused on what they’re fighting for… and what they said a year ago was true six months ago, was true six weeks ago, six days ago,” said Terri Jackson, the WNBPA’s executive director.

So, while a new CBA isn’t finalized yet, both sides have agreed to a 30-day extension to continue negotiations. That means bigger contracts are on the horizon. And for Sophie, the size of her next deal, and who she signs it with, will ultimately depend on how this CBA plays out.