NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Sophie Cunningham emerged as one of the leaders of the Indiana Fever during the 2025 season as she fiercely defended Caitlin Clark and the rest of her teammates at various points throughout the year.
Cunningham was asked if she would return to Indiana at least for the 2026 season as she was set to be a free agent. However, on Sunday he made the decision to return to the Fever.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong talks with WNBA star Sophie Cunningham before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, on February 25, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/Image Images)
Indiana and Cunningham agreed to a one-year contract, the team announced.
“We had a really special group last year and it was an amazing first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization,” he said via the team’s website. “We battled a lot of adversity and it was important to me that we had the opportunity to overcome what we started.
“I have a feeling this is going to be another special season, so I’m excited to get things started and, of course, continue playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham reacts after the Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream in game three of the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, on September 18, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Image Images)
CAITLIN CLARK FEVER MAKES SEVERAL KEY SIGNINGS IN OFFSEASON IN CHAMPIONSHIP PURSUIT
Cunningham played 30 games for Indiana before his season was cut short due to a torn MCL. He averaged 8.6 points per game and shot a career-high 43.2% from 3-point range.
The Fever hope that she will be a key piece for the team that seeks to fight for the championship.
“I think she’s always willing to step in and do whatever it takes to win,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said.
“… When you have a shooter like Sophie, someone who is consistently at the top of the league every year in terms of her effectiveness from beyond the arc, that really helps everyone else as well… Everything that she brings to the table as a competitor, I think it’s going to impact us.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reacts during a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 7, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Even with the injuries to Cunningham and Clark, Indiana finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 24-20 record. Indiana defeated the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to the Las Vegas Aces in five games in the semifinals.
