It’s not every offseason that a WNBA star finds herself at the center of headlines for reasons far beyond the basketball court, but Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has managed just that. With her status as an unrestricted free agent, a whirlwind of career possibilities, and a dash of wrestling drama, Cunningham’s recent days have been anything but ordinary. Let’s dive into the many layers of her evolving story—a tale that spans contract negotiations, new leagues, podcast revelations, and a potential leap into the world of WWE.
On December 22, 2025, Cunningham joined Caleb Pressley for an episode of “Sundae Conversation,” a moment that quickly caught fire across social media. The conversation started with the basics: her free agency, her uncertain WNBA future, and those ever-present questions about pay. When Pressley asked if she was still getting paid during her free agency, Cunningham replied with a wry smile, “Barely, but still surviving.” It’s the kind of candor that’s made her both relatable and a fan favorite.
But Pressley wasn’t done. He pressed further, asking if Cunningham had a backup plan if things didn’t pan out in the WNBA. Cunningham’s retort was quick and clever: “Not Plan B. Project B.” That’s not just a throwaway line—Project B is a new women’s basketball league conceived by tech heavyweights Grady Burnette and Geoff Prentice. The league proposes a Formula 1-style structure, with six teams of 11 players competing in seven two-week tournaments across Europe, Asia, and South America. The kicker? The pay is expected to dwarf current WNBA salaries, a fact not lost on stars like Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jewel Lloyd, and Jonquel Jones, all of whom have expressed interest.
Still, the most viral moment of the interview came when Pressley floated the idea of Cunningham joining OnlyFans, the paid subscription platform that’s become a hot topic in the world of athlete side hustles. “You have so many people who support you and come to your games,” Pressley said, “do you think you even need the leagues? Or could you just make money on OnlyFans?” Cunningham, ever the professional, shot down the notion: “No, I do think you need the leagues, 'cause that's what gives you the platform to have all these fans.” When Pressley countered that OnlyFans could be a platform in itself, Cunningham quipped, “Maybe Plan B should support that platform.” Her answer was both witty and telling—a nod to the importance of leagues in building a personal brand, even as she acknowledged the realities of modern athlete economics.
Despite the speculation, Cunningham made it clear she’s not interested in joining OnlyFans. She wouldn’t be the first WNBA player to do so—former star Liz Cambage has an account—but Cunningham’s focus remains on basketball and the opportunities that come with it. Her journey has already been a remarkable one: drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft, she spent six seasons there before joining the Indiana Fever for the 2025 season. In her debut year with the Fever, Cunningham played 30 games, starting 13, before a season-ending MCL injury in August forced her to the sidelines. Even so, she quickly became known as Indiana’s “enforcer,” always ready to stand up for her teammates, especially rookie phenom Caitlin Clark.
Her on-court grit is matched by her off-court charisma. Cunningham’s Instagram following has ballooned to 1.3 million, and her dynamic entrances and bold fashion choices have made her one of the league’s most recognizable faces. As sports commentator Skip Bayless put it, “She quickly befriended Caitlin; that was smart. And then she assumed the role of Caitlin’s on-court and in interviews defender and protector, or public defender. Did that ever quickly endear her to Caitlin’s billions of fans out there? Then, with the spotlight shining on Sophie 100 times better than ever before, she started making grand entrances into arenas, wearing spicy outfits, some of them provocative and very cool. Now she has a million followers on Instagram…”
Yet, Cunningham’s ambitions don’t stop at basketball. In July, she launched the podcast “Show Me Something” with television and sports personality West Wilson. The show has quickly gained traction, amassing over 42,000 subscribers on YouTube. It’s a space where Cunningham lets her personality shine, discussing everything from WNBA hot topics to pop culture. In a recent episode, she made waves by revealing that WWE had approached her about a possible wrestling career—either after she retires from basketball or during the offseason. “They asked me to do it. You know, maybe after I retire or in the offseason, maybe us two will be the new WWE duo,” she told Wilson. Her love for wrestling runs deep, stretching back to childhood bouts with her sister Lindsey so intense that their parents had to intervene.
Her wrestling fandom is no passing phase. Cunningham reminisced, “Kane. The Hulk. Oh my God, I used watch The Hulk all the time, the reality TV show. John Cena was just the absolute best, man. I’m all for it.” Wilson, her podcast partner, admitted wrestling never spoke to him, but he did tip his hat to Cena as an “endearing actor.” Cunningham’s passion, however, is unmistakable: “It spoke to me,” she said, her excitement palpable.
The wrestling world took notice. On December 23, 2025, professional wrestling icon Nikki Bella publicly responded to Cunningham’s musings about a WWE future. After Cunningham joked in an interview with Bryanna Sompayrac at the Swysh Den that she’d want a “spicy” wrestling name and would love to work with the Bella Twins, Nikki Bella fired back on Instagram: “I’ll take her on one-on-one…” and later, “Bring it on Sophie Cunningham.” Suddenly, what started as playful banter has become a very real—and very public—challenge.
All this comes as Cunningham continues her recovery from an MCL injury, balancing rehab with public appearances. She even served as Caitlin Clark’s caddie at the Annika Pro-Am in November, a testament to her strong bond with her Fever teammate. Off the court, she remains a vocal Kansas City Chiefs supporter, often repping the team on her podcast and social media. Her recent show of support for Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt at Phoenix’s AmericaFest only reinforced her status as a crossover sports personality.
As WNBA CBA negotiations drag on and Project B looms as a lucrative alternative, Cunningham’s future remains as open as ever. Will she return to the Fever, jump to a new league, or step into the wrestling ring? One thing’s for sure: wherever she goes, Sophie Cunningham is bound to keep fans—and headline writers—on their toes.
