Sophie Cunningham’s Future with Indiana Fever Sparks Debate

A recent article from The Athletic’s Candace Buckner argued that Indiana Fever should not re-sign Sophie Cunningham for the next season. The article highlighted both basketball and off-court reasons for this recommendation. It suggested that Cunningham’s presence is a distraction for the team as Caitlin Clark rises to prominence.

In response, Cunningham addressed these claims on the “No Hesitation” podcast. Co-host Drew Hanlen labeled the article as an “absolute hate piece” and praised Cunningham’s contributions as a bench player. He noted her stats, stating she averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, making her one of the top five bench scorers last season and among the leading 3-point shooters in the WNBA.

Cunningham kept her remarks brief, stating, “I don’t even care what anyone says about me anymore. If you’re going to live by the praise, you’re going to die by the hate.” She emphasized her value goes beyond what the stat sheet shows.

“No matter what anyone says to me, I’m going to continue to do me. I know what I bring to the table,” Cunningham said.

The Athletic piece suggested that moving away from Cunningham would allow the team to focus on success without the controversies attached to her. Buckner mentioned potential new teams for Cunningham, including the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, the league’s latest additions.

Cunningham had faced criticism months prior due to comments in an ESPN article regarding transgender women in female sports. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans, and I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she clarified.

Whether the Fever decide to part ways with Cunningham is currently unresolved. One of the most polarizing players, she brings attention to the Fever as they aim to strengthen their roster around stars like Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston.

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