Sophie Cunningham addressed criticism of her outspoken public comments on her podcast this week, ahead of what is expected to be a defining free agency period for the Indiana Fever guard. Cunningham, 30, is an unrestricted free agent after her one-year, $665,000 contract with Indiana expired following the team’s first-round playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces.
Speaking on “No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham and Drew Hanlen,” Cunningham addressed her critics directly but did not announce any decision about her Fever future.
Cunningham Responds To Critics
“That’s why I literally don’t even care what anyone says about me anymore,” Cunningham said on the podcast. “I’ve said this so many times, if you’re going to live by the praise, you’re going to die by the hate. The majority of these people have never picked up a ball in their entire lives, and they’re just, like, thirsty to have attention or be relevant in some type of way.
No matter what anyone says to me, I’m gonna continue to do me. I know what I bring to the table.”
The comments came after Cunningham made remarks to ESPN earlier this season regarding her stance on transgender women competing in women’s sports. “I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense.
And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said,” Cunningham told ESPN.
She also pushed back on how those remarks were characterized. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans and I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love,” she said.
What It Means For Her Fever Future
Cunningham’s podcast comments addressed her critics but did not speak directly to speculation about whether she will remain with the Fever. That distinction matters because a Sporting News columnist separately argued the team should move on from her, writing that “Cunningham is too combustible, her takes too turbulent to be paired with Caitlin Clark.”
Fever general manager Amber Cox offered a different assessment of Cunningham’s standing with the organization. “(Sophie) is a really solid leader in the locker room… she brings levity, but also brings a lot of experience,” Cox said. “She’s serious and is an important voice in our locker room when we need it, when we really need to lock in.
She’s an unrestricted free agent, so we look forward to having those conversations. She had a really productive year, and we’ll see just where things take us.”
No decision on a new contract has been announced, and there is no public record of Cunningham responding directly to the column calling for her exit.
Season Numbers And Background
Cunningham, an eight-year WNBA veteran, appeared in 43 games for Indiana in 2026, starting three. She averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.2 assists per game. Her 41.9% three-point shooting ranked fifth in the WNBA this season, marking the fourth time in her career she has shot 40% or better from deep.
She joined the Fever two seasons ago after six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. After Indiana’s elimination from the playoffs, Cunningham attended a Florida vs. Missouri football game wearing a hat reading “No Cis, Just… Woman,” a moment that drew additional attention amid the broader debate over her public statements.
What’s Next
Cunningham remains an unrestricted free agent, and Cox has said the Fever expect to have contract conversations with her. Indiana also faces a decision on fellow free agent Kelsey Mitchell, while Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston remain under contract for next season. No timeline for a Cunningham decision has been announced.
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