Sophie Cunningham Makes Admission Before WNBA Free Agency

In an interview with Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, Cunningham admitted why the Fever may never get a chance to see what their current roster could do if fully healthy.

"If people want to come back, we’re trying to keep our core together," Cunningham said. "But, you know, when money is waved in people’s faces, you just never know."

Much of the uncertainty is tied to ongoing negotiations between the WNBA and its players over a new collective bargaining agreement. The majority of the league, including Cunningham and other key Fever players, is entering free agency anticipating higher salaries in a new CBA.

For example, Cunningham played on a one-year, $100,000 contract with the Fever in 2025 — tied for third-largest deal per year on the team. One reported proposal would increase the supermax salary from $249,244 to $850,000 in the new CBA, meaning she could reasonably triple or quadruple her salary next season. The question that remains is which team will offer her the sweetest deal.

In her exit interview with the Fever in October, Cunningham said she "can’t just not look at other opportunities" when free agency arrives.

"If people are going to be paying you multi-million dollar deals, why would you not?" Cunningham told Costabile of players joining rival leagues this offseason, offering another lens into her thinking.

Whatever the salary cap ends up being in a potential new CBA, Indiana will have to decide where to prioritize its money between Cunningham and other free agents. Max player Kelsey Mitchell and key contributors Natasha Howard, Lexie Hull, Damiris Dantas and Aari McDonald are all out of contract. On the bright side, All-Stars Clark and Aliyah Boston are still on relatively cheap rookie deals, offering some crucial flexibility.