Sophie Cunningham Says FBI Is Watching About 20 People: “I Do Have a Lot of Stalkers”
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham was the team's second player to require law enforcement assistance over a stalker.
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Sophie Cunningham discusses WNBA's negative side (Image via Chris/X)
While Angel Reese and her Atlanta Dream are busy battling Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals, Sophie Cunningham and her Indiana Fever teammates are enjoying their offseason.
In the midst of this, the Fever organization has begun its work towards next season, and that started by allowing President Kelly Krauskopf to step down, and then firing GM Amber Cox.
Head coach Stephanie White is safe, but there will be a lot of question marks regarding the roster. One of them, Sophie Cunningham, is an unrestricted free agent, as she could only get a one-year contract last offseason.
The guard hopes to get a longer-term contract, as she wants to settle down in Indiana. Until she returns to the negotiating table, the 30-year-old is on a tour across the country, appearing on any platform she is invited to to grow her brand.
The latest was when she appeared on Theo Von‘s podcast. She spoke with him about the WNBA and the newfound fame she and others are enjoying.
There is also a lot of crazy people. We do have a lot of stalkers. I know I do. That’s a negative side of things that people don’t know about… I have, I think, 20 people the FBI are watching for me alone.
Sophie Cunningham revealed
The Missouri native pointed out that thanks to the Indiana Fever’s strong security, she and her teammates are safe. But that still does not stop stalkers, like the person who is now behind bars for following Sophie Cunningham.
Sophie Cunningham slams narrative-focused WNBA media
After revealing one side of the negativity Sophie Cunningham and her WNBA peers face, the three-and-D specialist said the league’s network partners do not help quell it.
NBA, NFL, MLB- they don’t have the drama. Their people are actually covering stats and good stories. Where ours, it’s like barely any of the real basketball… Yes, write stories on how we were raised, and XYZ. But also cover what we do for a living.
Sophie Cunningham said
The second-round pick reiterated that some of the storylines are fine, as they create awareness. But there is no real coverage of the game, and that has not helped matters, especially when it comes to drowning out the negativity.
Cunningham has slammed the media this past season for continuing to talk about negative news, even just after a game. She believes the WNBA’s media partners should follow other leagues’ lead.
In the past, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has spoken out about the negative coverage his league faced. That seems to be changing with its new media partners. However, the same networks are also part of the WNBA. Yet, Cunningham believes a lot has to change.
Sophie Cunningham hopes next WNBA commissioner is willing to take on the pressure
This season, Sophie Cunningham has leveraged her position as the league’s second-most marketable player to speak her mind. One of the topics she regularly talks about is the WNBA Commissioner’s role.
Time and again, the 6’1″ star has criticized outgoing Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for the way she has mishandled many issues. In fact, Cunningham’s opinions led Adam Silver to approach her for possible advice on who they should select next.
We have been asking for equality, and now that we have it, pressure is a privilege. You gotta step up to the plate. You’re gonna have to answer really tough questions… We need someone representing the WNBA who’s willing to do the hard stuff.
Cunningham said
The Fever star made it clear that the next person at the helm should be willing to take whatever is thrown at them and deal with it in the best possible way. Shying away from responsibility only made it worse during Engelbert’s term, and that will not do.
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