Sophie Cunningham releases statement after landing new job amid uncertainty over WNBA future

Sophie Cunningham has landed a new job in broadcasting.

Ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, Cunningham announced that she would be joining USA Network’s coverage as a contributor.

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This does not mean that the 29-year-old will be hanging up her sneakers, though, as reports indicate she will only contribute when her playing schedule allows.

Cunningham took to Instagram to post the news, writing: I’m back baby and with a NEW SQUAAAAD!! I’m joining the @usasports team throughout the year to contribute to studio coverage of @wnba games on @usanetwork ”

USA Network is set to showcase 50 regular season games, while it will also host the WNBA playoffs and Finals as a result of the league’s new media deal which passed back in September.

This new role is something that Cunningham has been yearning for for quite some time, and comes just months after hiring 3 Arts Entertainment for off-court representation in January.

Back in March, one of the WNBA’s most recognizable figures revealed to Sports Illustrated that she hopes to forget a career in TV and broadcasting once she is done playing, and is now slowly beginning that transition.

“I just love sports. I love talking to people and learning their stories. I love the ‘why,’” Cunningham told Sports Illustrated.

“When I get asked to [commentate] for basketball, I know the game, I have the IQ for it. I see plays, I see why they do different schemes.

“You get to break down these elite level players and why they do what they do. I find it so fascinating, and I understand it. And, for some reason, people like to hear me break it down.

“Maybe there’s going to be a career there when I’m done playing basketball that that’s what I’ll get right into. I’m excited for that.”

Now she has to figure out where she will be playing basketball next season.

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Cunningham and Clark could part ways

In 2025, Cunningham suited up for the Indiana Fever alongside superstar Caitlin Clark after being traded by the Phoenix Mercury during the offseason.

However, amid the new era-defining Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was struck between the WNBA and the players union, the seven-year veteran finds herself as an unrestricted free agent.

In fact, only three members of the Fever roster are contracted to the team ahead of the new season, including Clark, Aaliyah Boston and rookie Makayla Timpson.

Cunningham’s close friend Lexie Hull will enter the new league year as a restricted free agent, and their close-knit relationship with Clark could yet play a factor in whether she returns to the team in 2026.

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During the 2025 campaign, in which the Fever won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

While her numbers don’t stand out off the page, Cunningham earned quite the reputation for her defense of teammate Clark when opposing teams would play hard against the emerging superstar, so much so that the Taekwondo black belt got the nickname of ‘enforcer’.

She will likely, therefore, have a whole host of offers from teams around the WNBA, and the Fever may not be able to pay her as much as another team can.

“I think the next team I play for, I want a bigger contract,” Cunningham said on the October 31 episode of her show entitled Show Me Something.

“So then I can buy a house and be homey and cozy… It could be anywhere.”

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