Sophie Cunningham’s time with the Indiana Fever may be coming to a quiet but telling end—and not because of her performance on the court. Reports suggest Cunningham is set to be left off the Fever’s protection list for the upcoming Expansion Draft, a move that has raised eyebrows across the WNBA. Officially, the organization is leaning on the word “fit.” Unofficially, many around the league believe this decision says far more about fame, optics, and control than basketball.
Since arriving in Indiana, Cunningham has been more than just a role player. She brought edge, toughness, and veteran confidence to a young roster navigating immense pressure and nonstop media attention. On the floor, she defended, spaced the court, and never shied away from physical play. Off the floor, however, her growing visibility—viral interviews, outspoken moments, and a personality fans either love or hate—began to make her bigger than the box score.
That’s where the tension appears to have started. The Fever are clearly reshaping their future around a new centerpiece and a tightly managed brand identity. As the franchise prioritizes marketability, narrative control, and a “clean” long-term vision, Cunningham’s unfiltered authenticity may have become inconvenient. In a league increasingly driven by optics, sometimes the loudest personalities are the first to be quietly shown the door.
Calling it a “fit issue” is the safest explanation, but few believe it’s the full story. Cunningham never faded into the background—and that can be a problem when a franchise wants all attention pointed in one direction. Expansion drafts often reveal uncomfortable truths, and this one suggests Indiana is choosing star hierarchy over chemistry, and predictability over personality.
Ironically, being left unprotected could work in Cunningham’s favor. Around the league, teams value exactly what Indiana now seems willing to lose: toughness, confidence, and a player unafraid of big moments or bigger conversations. In a new environment, her edge could be celebrated rather than managed.
If this truly is the end of Sophie Cunningham’s chapter with the Fever, it won’t be remembered as a basketball failure. It will be remembered as a reminder that in today’s WNBA, fame can elevate you—and just as quickly make you expendable.
