Sophie Cunningham rose to significant prominence during the inaugural season of the 2025 Indiana Fever, becoming the most searched WNBA player that year. Impressively, she was the only female athlete to rank within the top 10 overall, surpassing even her teammate Caitlin Clark.
Throughout the 2025 season, Cunningham participated in 30 games but faced a setback due to a torn MCL in her right knee, which required surgery. While at Indiana University, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1 steal per game, playing a key role in securing the Commissioner’s Cup and helping the Fever reach the WNBA semifinals.
Given her growing popularity and on-court contributions, Cunningham is expected to attract strong interest as a free agent. Fever star Caitlin Clark has expressed a desire to reunite with the experienced guard; however, Cunningham has made it clear that her main focus is maximizing her market value and earning the highest possible salary in her next contract.
As of now, Cunningham remains unsigned and has indicated she will not agree to any deals until the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations conclude. When questioned about her plans for the upcoming season, she shared on Instagram Stories, “Waiting to see if there is a season.”
Unlike this time last year when many WNBA free agents were already in talks and poised to sign by February 1st, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have yet to finalize a new CBA. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the two sides remain deeply divided on critical issues such as the revenue-sharing structure, with new discussions slated to take place in New York on Monday.
This ongoing uncertainty makes it unlikely that Cunningham will sign with any team in the near future.
RELATED: Sophie Cunningham responds to Caitlin Clark not making the top 10 most searched athletes
This article was first published by Athlon Sports on January 31, 2026, in the WNBA section.
Fan Take: Sophie Cunningham’s situation highlights the growing complexity and challenges surrounding the WNBA’s future, especially amid stalled CBA talks. For fans, her potential free agency and the ongoing negotiations are crucial as they could reshape player opportunities, team dynamics, and overall league growth moving forward.
