Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s net worth was estimated at around $1.5 million in 2025, and her earning power has changed sharply since. Under the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, which lifted player salaries dramatically, she re-signed with the Fever on a one-year deal worth $665,000 for 2026 — roughly what she had earned across her entire WNBA career to that point. She missed the back end of the 2025 season after tearing the MCL in her right knee in August 2025.
In 2025, as ESPN reported, the WNBA announced expansion teams in three cities — Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030). In response, Sophie Cunningham said she didn’t think people would be excited about going to Cleveland, suggesting cities like Miami and Nashville would have been better options. Cleveland’s official social media account later responded by sharing a video of Cunningham’s teammate, Caitlin Clark, who previously described Cleveland as “pretty cool.”
Sophie Cunningham Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| First Name | Sophie |
| Last Name | Cunningham |
| Full Name | Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham |
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1996 |
| Age | 29 (born 16 August 1996) |
| Birth Place | Columbia, Missouri |
| Residence | Indiana (assumed) |
| Country | United States |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Education | University of Missouri |
| Father | Jim Cunningham |
| Mother | Paula Cunningham |
| Nationality | American |
| Siblings | Sister: Lindsey Cunningham |
| Brother | Not mentioned |
| Religion | Not mentioned |
| Spouse | Not mentioned |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1.5 million (2025 estimate; predates her 2026 contract) |
| Category | Women’s Basketball Player |
| Current Team | Indiana Fever |
| Position | Guard |
| Jersey Number | 8 |
| Years Active | 2019 – present |
| Draft | 2019 WNBA Draft, 2nd round, 13th overall pick |
| Drafted By | Phoenix Mercury |
| Previous Teams | Phoenix Mercury (2019–2024), Melbourne Boomers (2019–2020, WNBL) |
| Awards | USBWA All-America Third Team, WBCA Hon. Mention, All-SEC First Team, etc. |
| 1M followers (@sophie_cham) |
Sophie Cunningham Net Worth
The most widely cited estimate of Sophie Cunningham’s net worth is approximately $1.5 million, published by Marca in July 2025. No updated figure has been published since, so that number should be read as a 2025 snapshot rather than a current one.
It is also likely to be an understatement going forward. That estimate predates both the new collective bargaining agreement and her $665,000 contract for 2026 — a single season that pays her more than her first six WNBA seasons combined. Endorsements, not salary, had been the larger part of her income up to that point; from 2026 the balance shifts.
Sophie Cunningham Early Life
Sophie Cunningham is a hardworking and strong athlete. Her father, Jim Cunningham, played football for the University of Missouri. Her mother, Paula, was great in track and field. She went to Rock Bridge High School, where her basketball skills stood out. She was ranked among the top high school basketball players in the US.
Sophie enjoys singing, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and being outside on her family’s farm. She earned a black belt in karate at age six. Her favorite basketball player is LeBron James.
College Basketball Career
Sophie Cunningham played for the University of Missouri from 2015 to 2019. She averaged 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Her strong play earned her All-SEC First Team honors in 2018 and 2019. As a senior, she helped lead her team to the NCAA Tournament. Her college success led to her being drafted into the WNBA in 2019.
WNBA Career
Cunningham was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 WNBA Draft. She played six seasons with the Mercury, averaging 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. She helped the Mercury reach the 2021 WNBA Finals. In 2022, she signed a two-year, $304,500 extension to stay with the team.
This Sophie Cunningham photo 🔥
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 2, 2025
She was EVERYWHERE on both ends of the floor (13 PTS, 7 REB & +18 +/-) to help the Fever win their first-ever Commissioner's Cup 👏 pic.twitter.com/jXHvCd2fJh
In January 2025, she was traded to the Indiana Fever, bringing veteran leadership to a young and promising roster.
WNBA Salary and Contracts
Cunningham’s pay history splits neatly in two. Through 2025 she was on standard pre-CBA WNBA money: a two-year, $304,500 extension signed with Phoenix in 2022, then a one-year deal worth around $120,000, per Spotrac, which she carried into Indiana after the trade.
For 2026 she re-signed with the Fever on a one-year contract worth $665,000 — a roughly fivefold increase, driven by the new collective bargaining agreement rather than by any change in her role. She is among the higher-paid players on the Indiana roster and is on one of the protected contracts the team is permitted to carry.
Cunningham said publicly that she was frustrated by the deal, then clarified that her disappointment was about its length, not its value: “I’m not mad about the money. I just wanted more years because I love it here.” For scale, the WNBA’s new top-end salaries still sit far below the NBA’s — Paul George earns more in a fortnight than Cunningham does in a season.
Her total WNBA contract earnings from 2019 through 2025 are estimated at roughly $600,000 to $700,000 in base salaries and bonuses. The 2026 season alone adds $665,000 to that, close to doubling her career total in a single year — the clearest illustration of what the new CBA did to WNBA pay. Team-mates and peers such as Jackie Young saw comparable step-changes, and incoming players like Azzi Fudd entered the league on rookie terms that would have been unthinkable a year earlier.
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Endorsements Deals
She has signed partnerships with brands like Quest Nutrition, Mad Hippie, and Adidas. Reports indicate that she wears Adidas gear in the vast majority of her games. Cunningham has also been linked with SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s clothing line, further signaling her cross-market appeal.
Her relatable personality and increased popularity after joining the Fever make her appealing to sponsors. Experts estimate these deals add $200,000 to $300,000 per year to her income, though exact amounts aren’t public.
Also grew her visibility by joining the Phoenix Suns’ “Suns Live!” broadcast team in 2022 as an analyst.
Social Media & Popularity Surge
In mid-2025, Cunningham went viral after stepping in to protect teammate Caitlin Clark during an on-court fight. The moment made her an overnight sensation – she gained 500,000 TikTok followers in one day, and her Fever jersey quickly became a top seller.
Updated 15 August 2026. Her 2026 contract value and salary history were verified against Spotrac and Indiana Fever announcements; the torn right MCL and season-ending 2025 injury against ESPN and Sports Illustrated; her contract comments against Yahoo Sports. The $1.5 million net worth figure is Marca’s July 2025 estimate and has not been refreshed by its publisher since.
FAQs About Sophie Cunningham Net Worth
How much does Sophie Cunningham earn in the WNBA?
She is on a one-year contract with the Indiana Fever worth $665,000 for the 2026 season, up from around $120,000 previously, following the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Which team does Sophie Cunningham play for in 2026?
She plays for the Indiana Fever. She joined them from the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 offseason and re-signed with Indiana for 2026.
Did Sophie Cunningham go viral in 2025?
Yes, she gained 500,000 TikTok followers in one day after defending teammate Caitlin Clark during an on-court altercation.
