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Free agent guard Sophie Cunningham opened up about the WNBA’s uncertain future as the league faces major questions ahead of next season
Veteran guard Sophie Cunningham didn’t mince words when asked about the future of the WNBA, as the league remains deadlocked in negotiations with the WNBA players’ union over the College Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Fresh off a season-ending MCL tear and now a free agent, Cunningham delivered one of the most unvarnished assessments yet of where the league stands, and where it might be headed.
The 29 year-old Cunningham was speaking with Front Office Sports at a Manhattan sports bar, shortly after an LPGA appearance as Caitlin Clark’s caddy. She was traded to the Indiana Fever for the 2025 season, and averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds this year before her injury sidelined her.
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“There is a lot of uncertainty,” Cunningham said candidly. “With CBA, with the money, if we’re even going to have a league next year. And then if people want to come back, we’re trying to keep our core together.”
“But, you know, when money is waved in people’s faces, you just never know. And so, if we do, I think that we just have to stay healthy. We have to keep building, day by day. And I think we have a good shot.”
When asked about her own future with the Fever, she admitted the situation remains up in the air.
“You know, we’re all still keeping in touch, but obviously there’s not a lot. There’s really not a lot to talk about on there and on our end until there’s a new CBA. And I think that’s how it is across the league.”
The crux of Cunningham’s concern lies with the stalled CBA negotiations between players and league executives.
“I think the last meeting was about two weeks ago,” she said. “I know our execs are talking with their people every single day. I don’t think there’s been much movement. I think at least there’s communication. So that’s the biggest thing for us.”
Those negotiations carry high stakes: salaries, revenue-sharing, and even the basic sustainability of the league over the next season are on the line.
Cunningham questioned the long-term model: “It sounds good and they can always wave a big number in your face. But what happens when the business continues to go up? Does that mean our salaries are going to continue to go up, or will they stay the same? And I think that’s been our biggest thing, revenue share.”
She also weighed in on the rise of alternative opportunities such as “Project B,” a newly announced up-start women’s basketball league offering multi-million-dollar contracts.
“I don’t know too much about it. You know, you see stuff on social media, but I also know how social media goes. So you got to take it with a grain of salt. But, you know, if people are going to be paying you multi-million dollar deals, why would you not?” she said.
