Sophie Cunningham was “frustrated” by her latest Indiana Fever contract — but not for the reason that was initially believed.
The 29-year-old’s comments on her “Show Me Something” podcast went viral after she inked a one-year, $665,000 contract to remain with the Fever, as she indicated she hoped to sign a better deal under the league’s new CBA.
However, she soon clarified on X that her gripe was with the length of the contract rather than the money, and she echoed that sentiment on Tuesday.
Sophie Cunningham clarified that her issue with her contract was the length, not the money AP “I just wanted to be somewhere for over one year. I’m 30 years old, I want to have a home, I want to get established,” she told reporters.
“And I would love to get established in a place like Indiana. We had such a great time. And when you find a group of girls who really make you fall in love with basketball again, and you enjoy it, not only on the court but off the court, you want to hold on to that. So that’s what I meant by that.”
Cunningham, whose 2025 season ended after an MCL tear, added that she was “so grateful” to be back with the Fever and that her initial comments were taken the wrong way.
“The internet’s doing what the internet does, and it’s trying to stir things up. But it made me sound snotty and ungrateful and that is the last thing I ever want,” she said.
After re-signing with Indiana over the weekend, Cunningham sounded a bit underwhelmed by her new deal when talking to her podcast co-host West Wilson.
“It’s tough, because I came off an injury, and I haven’t been in front of any teams,” Cunningham said. “I had a lot going on this offseason. I was fully cleared, they had all the doctors, they had the numbers and everything. But if you don’t get in front of these people, it’s like, ‘Hey, are you actually good?’“I’m not even gonna lie to you, though, it’s a little, kind of, frustrating. Because I’m someone who, I kind of shoot it straight. If I wasn’t feeling good or was hesitant, I think I would have said something and been honest. Because I’m just at the point in my career where I just want to win. I just want to win. And so I’m not going to put my ego in front of things. And I know it is a business, but I just think I’m wired a little differently. I don’t know. I just want to win.”
Cunningham returned to the Indiana Fever to play with Caitlin Clark on a one-year deal Getty Images Cunningham, who established herself as an important glue player last season, also added that the contract was a “great wakeup call” to not allow herself to get comfortable.
“I think it kind of lit a fire under my ass even more,” she said. “At the end of the day, I’m coming back from a major [injury]. Like, it was MCL. … So I feel good. I’m shooting the ball well, I’m mentally in a great spot.”
The forward averaged 8.6 points last year and struck up a quick friendship with Caitlin Clark.
The pair will begin this upcoming season on May 9 vs. the Dallas Wings.
