Sophie Cunningham‘s 2025 campaign with the Indiana Fever was cut short before it could show real promise. In 30 games after being acquired from the Phoenix Mercury in a three-team trade, the guard averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds before a torn right MCL in August ended her year prematurely.
Now, entering this WNBA offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Cunningham’s WNBA future is still unsettled amid stalled WNBPA-CBA negotiations that have frozen the entire roster scenario.
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“There is a lot of uncertainty,” Cunningham said before her Project B signing. “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.”
Last November, she officially signed with Project B, a global 5-on-5 circuit launching in late 2026 featuring seven two-week tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Unlike traditional leagues, Project B treats its marquee signees as partners/stakeholders with ownership stakes in the venture.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8).© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
(© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Multiple reports, including those from Front Office Sports, state her deal is worth over $2 million annually plus equity. Most surprisingly, this amount is roughly eight times the 2025 WNBA supermax salary of $249,244.
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The league recently confirmed its first official tour stops. València, Spain, will host a tournament at the brand-new Roig Arena from March 12–21, 2027. This will be followed immediately by a stop in Tokyo, Japan, from March 26 to April 4, 2027.
Cunningham’s signing is one of the first major moves for Project B. She joins a roster that already includes her Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, along with Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, and Jonquel Jones.
The new league runs from November 2026 to April 2027. It uses a global, touring format that doesn’t overlap with the WNBA, so Cunningham could return to the Fever if she re-signs. However, her 2026 roster spot isn’t a lock yet.
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With Caitlin Clark healthy and coming off a strong 17-point, 12-assist performance for Team USA against Senegal, the Fever’s backcourt will clearly be built around her. So, whether Cunningham stays in Indiana depends on how the current CBA negotiations play out.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Issues Strong Reaction to Recent Off-Court Situation
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
