Will the Indiana Fever bring back Sophie Cunningham for the 2027 season? That’ll be a hot topic this offseason, make no mistake about it.
Cunningham was a valuable asset off the bench for Indiana this season, averaging 7.9 points per game on 41.9% shooting from the 3-point line. Despite having a productive 2026 campaign, fans are convinced she won’t be back in Indiana due to the off-court distractions she was involved in.
During the halfway point of the season, Cunningham made headlines for sharing her thoughts on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. She told ESPN that she wanted to “protect young girls in a locker room” with biological men. Those remarks led to some protests at WNBA venues.
Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images.
While speaking to the media this Saturday, Fever general manager Amber Cox was asked if Cunningham’s off-court comments will impact how the team views her in free agency.
Not only did Cox shoot down that narrative, she spoke highly about Cunningham’s veteran presence.
“Sophie is a really solid leader in the locker room … she brings levity, but also brings a lot of experience. She’s serious and is an important voice in our locker room when we need it, when we really need to lock in,” Cox said. “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.”
The Fever have to make a strong offer.
During the 2026 offseason, Cunningham admit she was frustrated that she only received a one-year deal from the Fever.
“It’s tough, because I came off an injury, and I haven’t been in front of any teams. I had a lot going on this offseason,” Cunningham said. “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.”
If the Fever want to keep Cunningham, they may have to make a long-term commitment.
