One of the most well-known WNBA players nowadays is Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever. She has a sizeable fan base thanks to her energy on the court and her off-court personality.
The eight-year veteran has kept forming alliances with different companies. She has recently extended her reach into sports broadcasting and co-hosts a podcast with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen.
During her first two seasons with the Fever, Cunningham made a name for herself as a vital player on the team. In 73 games, she averaged 8.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 3-pointers.
Cunningham played her first six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, who selected her 13th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, before joining the Fever.
Cunningham recently reflected on her early days in the league during an interview on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast. The 30-year-old looked back to her first WNBA deal.
Cunningham remarked, claiming, “My rookie year, after taxes and everything, I think I made like $28,000.”
“Back then I wasn’t a very scholarly person. I went to high school, I went to college, because that was the steps to be a professional athlete,” she added.
Cunningham acknowledged that she regrets not utilizing all of the options available to her during her studying time.
“I wish I would’ve been better in school,” the Missouri alum revealed. “I wish I would’ve done finances or business, or something like that.
“I was making $28,000, and I was like, ‘I need to get a job.’ I need to do something to make money.”
At this stage of her career, Cunningham is making significantly over $28,000 annually. She agreed to a $665,000, one-year contract to stay with the Fever prior to the 2026 season. Naturally, that is on top of all the endorsement deals and brand alliances she currently has.
Cunningham’s one-season contract with the Fever is about to expire, and she will become a free agent in the offseason. It’s unclear if Indiana will extend a new contract to her or if she would choose to use her skills elsewhere.
Despite not majoring in business, Cunningham already has extensive experience negotiating a new WNBA deal with the assistance of her agent. Additionally, she is confident that the recently signed Collective Bargaining Agreement will benefit her.
“But now, because of our new CBA agreement, which is great, it’s going to continue to get better,” she commented, adding, “We’re all making good money now, so we don’t need to (get a second job).”
