Sophie Cunningham sets record straight on frustration with Fever contract

The Indiana Fever re-signed most of the key pieces from their roster last season, agreeing to new deals with Aliyah Boston, Sophie Cunningham, and Lexie Hull.

With a healthy Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson returning, plus rookie Raven Johnson, the 10th overall pick in the 2026 draft, and free-agent addition Monique Billings, the Fever are set up to make another deep playoff run next season.

While Fever fans are thrilled to have Cunningham back in the mix, she herself didn’t sound so thrilled during a recent episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast.

Cunningham was asked by her co-host if she was happy with the one-year, $665,000 contract she signed with the team this offseason, to which she gave a lengthy response.

“It’s tough because I came off an injury, and I haven’t been in front of any teams,” Cunningham said. “Like, I had a lot going on this offseason, and I was fully cleared, they had all the doctors and had all the numbers and everything, but if you don’t get in front of these people, then it’s like, ‘Hey, are you actually good?’ And so, that was a little frustrating because I’m someone who like, I kind of shoot it straight.

“If I wasn’t feeling good, or like I was hesitant, I would’ve said something and been honest. I’m at the point in my career where I just want to win, and so I’m not going to put my ego in front of things. I know it is a business, but I think I’m just wired a little differently. But you know what, I think this was a great wake-up call to not get comfortable. I think it kind of lit a fire under my [expletive] even more.”

Though most took her words to mean she wasn’t happy with the dollar amount of her deal, Cunningham took to social media to clarify what she actually meant.

“I’m gonna shut this down right now,” Cunningham tweeted. “I’m not mad about the money…. I just wanted more years because I love it here. I wanted to get a house so I could bring my dog and donkey to Indy with me. That’s it. That’s the truth. I think we have something very special here in Indiana!!”