Sophie Cunningham Issues Strong Statement About WNBA Salary on Sunday
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Fever’s Sophie Cunningham Sends Strong ‘Fighting’ Message on WNBA CBA Negotiations
The WNBA and the league’s players association (WNBPA) are deep in negotiations for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) The current one expires after this current season ends. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made a prepared statement before her team’s June 22 game against the Las Vegas Aces. Cunningham said, “We deserve a fair share, and we’re demanding salaries to reflect our true value in the business” She concluded with, “The clock is ticking. Nothing short of transformational change will do for the future we see”
These CBA negotiations will be integral to the league’s growth and continued development, and among the many aspects of it that players are lobbying for as increased salaries. While it’s no surprise that both sides aren’t necessarily seeing eye-to-eye, a prepared statement that Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made before her team’s June 22 game against the Las Vegas Aces suggests frustration on the players’ side.
“On behalf of my teammates and every member of our union, I want to be very clear that we remain committed to negotiating the next CBA with the league and the teams, in good faith and privately,” Cunningham said while reading off of her phone, per an X post from @WillieGRamireZ.
“But we do want to set the record straight, not for the headlines but for the fans who support us and deserve transparency. What’s at stake: This is a defining moment in the WNBA. As the league grows, it’s time for a CBA that reflects our true value. We are fighting for a fair share of the business that we’ve built, because it is a business. We are not fighting for anything that’s unreasonable.
“When it comes to salary and revenue share, we are fighting to share in the growth that we’ve created. Every other category across the business has grown… the only thing that is still capped is our player salaries, which is insane,” Cunningham continued. “We deserve a fair share, and we’re demanding salaries to reflect our true value in the business.”
She concluded with, “The clock is ticking. We come out here and play most of every night in front of these fans. We will continue to do that, but the current system is unsustainable for us, and that means it’s unsustainable for the business that we have created. Nothing short of transformational change will do for the future we see.”
Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) with a prepared statement in regards to upcoming CBA negotiations with the #WNBA pic.twitter.com/ypwT1HsIIf — WillieGRamireZ (@WillieGRamirez) June 22, 2025
This is certainly a strong message that many other players will likely echo today, and as the negotiations continue.
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Stephanie White Issues Sophie Cunningham Injury Update Before Fever-Sky
Stephanie White is the new head coach of the Indiana Fever. She led the Fever to the best preseason record in the WNBA, recording a perfect 3-0. Fellow Indiana newcomer Sophie Cunningham was a nice surprise in the preseason, averaging 10.7 points on 51.5% shooting and 4.3 rebounds per game. Cunningham suffered an ankle injury during the Fever’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Dream, leaving her out for the remainder of the game.
White led the Fever to the best preseason record in the WNBA, recording a perfect 3-0. Fellow Indiana newcomer Sophie Cunningham was a nice surprise in the preseason, averaging 10.7 points on 51.5% shooting and 4.3 rebounds per game.
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But in the second half of the preseason finale against the Atlanta Dream, an 81-76 Fever win, Cunningham suffered an ankle injury, leaving her out for the remainder of the game.
Following the win, Cunningham was seen in a walking boot, giving cause for concern. She hasn’t been able to participate in practice leading up to the season opener.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
On Friday, just one day before the Fever face Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, White spoke to reporters during the team’s media availability. When asked about Cunningham’s injury leading up to the season opener, White shared her response.
“I think that she’s made great progress,” White said. “I think the biggest thing is perspective, right? We don’t want to do anything that will set her back, that will hinder her progress. I think you have, what, six games in the first 14 days. So, we’ll be cautious. The last 48 hours have been really good, so the training staff will look at her in the morning and we will make a decision from there.”
Although Cunningham hasn’t been able to practice with the team, she was able to partake in a friendly half-court shot challenge on Friday. After the former Mercury guard defeated Caitlin Clark in the contest, White also joked that Cunningham is “fraudulent.”
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The Fever will take on the Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET. Then, they will have a couple of days off before back-to-back games against the Dream, starting Tuesday.
Related: WNBA Makes Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese ‘Viewer Discretion’ Announcement
WNBA Fans Start Petition to Ban Caitlin Clark’s Teammate
WNBA Fans Start Petition to Ban Caitlin Clark’s Teammate. Cunningham ejected after a hard foul against the Sun’s Jacy Sheldon. Sheldon was involved in an earlier scuffle with Indiana’s star point guard Clark, poking Clark in the eye. Clark pushed Sheldon away and Connecticut player Marina Mabrey shoving Clark to the ground after the whistle in retaliation. Cunningham’s foul on Sheldon came with less than one minute to play and the Fever up 17 and comfortably positioned to win the contest. The petition to ban Cunningham had 256 signatures as of early Friday afternoon, June 20.
Members of the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun tussled during basketball plays and by way of extra-curricular activities on multiple occasions during the semifinals of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on June 17, which has led to a petition that demands the league ban a prominent member of the Fever.
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Referees ejected Sophie Cunningham from the contest in question late in the fourth quarter after a hard foul against the Sun’s Jacy Sheldon. Sheldon was involved in an earlier scuffle with Indiana’s star point guard Caitlin Clark, poking Clark in the eye during a play, which led to Clark pushing Sheldon away and Connecticut player Marina Mabrey shoving Clark to the ground after the whistle in retaliation.
Below is video of Cunningham’s foul on Sheldon, which came with less than one minute to play and the Fever up 17 and comfortably positioned to win the contest.
“Status alert: Sophie Cunningham, Jacy Sheldon, Lindsay Allen have been ejected Tuesday,” Underdog WNBA captioned the video in an X post.
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Naturally, Fever fans and Clark’s enormous fan base lauded Cunningham for her efforts to “protect” Clark, as some deemed Cunningham’s actions on social media. However, a much smaller contingent of WNBA fans have begun circulating a petition via Change.org urging the WNBA to ban Cunningham from the league entirely.
A portion of the petition is as follows:
Sophie Cunningham’s repeated displays of unsportsmanlike conduct during games against the Connecticut Sun have reached a point where decisive action is necessary. Cunningham has been involved in numerous incidents that have not only compromised the safety of other players but also tarnished the reputation of the WNBA as a league that prides itself on integrity and fair play. … We urge the WNBA to uphold its standards and take firm action against players who repeatedly demonstrate disrespect and aggression toward others. Removing Sophie Cunningham from the league would send a strong message that the WNBA does not tolerate violence or intimidation, ensuring that the court remains a place for celebration, skill, and unity rather than conflict.
The petition to ban Cunningham had 256 signatures as of early Friday afternoon, June 20.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Draws Strong Reactions From Fever Fans After WNBA Punishment
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Brittney Griner’s Strong Statement to Indiana Fever Star After Historic News
DeWanna Bonner moved past Tina Thompson into third place on the WNBA’s all-time career scoring list. Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream congratulated her on this accomplishment with a social media post. Bonner was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft by the Phoenix Mercury, who already had the legendary Diana Taurasi. She is one of Indiana’s big additions to a squad that went 20-20 last season.
The game was notable for a dust-up between rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. But the Fever had a balanced attack, as Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard each had at least 15 points.
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Forward DeWanna Bonner shot just 2-of-9, but she did move past Tina Thompson into third place on the WNBA’s all-time career scoring list. Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream congratulated her on this accomplishment with a social media post.
Brittney Griner congratulated DeWanna Bonner for moving up to third place in WNBA’s all-time scoring.Brittney Griner, Instagram
Bonner was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft by the Phoenix Mercury, who already had the legendary Diana Taurasi. In 2013, the two were joined by Griner, who was the No. 1 overall pick that year, and the following season, the trio led the team to the WNBA championship.
Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner drives to the basket against Chicago Sky forward Michaela Onyenwere. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Bonner was traded to the Connecticut Sun in 2020 before joining the Fever as a free agent this offseason. Last year, the wing averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 assists a game and was named to the All-Star team for the sixth time.
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She is one of Indiana’s big additions to a squad that went 20-20 and got swept by the Sun in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Natasha Howard, a potent scorer at the forward position, also joined the team as a free agent, and it also acquired guard Sophie Cunningham in a major trade.
Related: Paige Bueckers Reveals Truth on Exchange With Napheesa Collier
Caitlin Clark’s agent says the Fever star will never be paid ‘what she’s really worth’
Caitlin Clark’s agent says it’s almost impossible for her to earn what she is worth to the WNBA. Agent Erin Kane also represents WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, Arike Ogunbowale and other athletes. The players opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and they’re negotiating new conditions. The league and players want to reach a deal before October 2025. As it stands, player salaries, which are collectively bargained, range from approximately$64,154 to $241,984 for those on a supermaximum contract. In contrast, the upstart women’s league Unrivaled, which is wrapping up its first season in March, currently offers an average salary of over $220,000, along with an equity stake in the league. Clark has lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Hy-Vee and Xfinity.
“Will Caitlin Clark ever be paid by the WNBA what she’s really worth to that league? I don’t think that’s possible,” Kane told ESPN. “She’s part of a larger player body. They all need to be paid more. She should be recognized for what she has done and what she’s brought to the league from an economic standpoint. It’s as simple as that.”
Kane, through Excel Sports Management, also represents WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, Arike Ogunbowale and other athletes. Back in November, Kane told Diggin’ Deep podcast that Clark was in her own “league.”
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“She is one of one. It’s really just about setting the market (…) The market tells us. It’s the fans that choose. There’s a handful of players that have ignited this sort of level of excitement by being incredible at what they do, but also is like how they do it? So, it’s Serena Williams, Simone Biles… Caitlin is one of those, those are the comparisons. She is changing women’s basketball,” she explained at the time.
Caitlin Clark during a ceremony to retire her #22 following the match-up against the USC Trojans (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
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As Clark is entering her sophomore season, she is expected to make over $78,000 for the 2025 season. However, the players opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and they’re negotiating new conditions. The league and players want to reach a deal before October 2025.
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see also Fever coach Stephanie White compares Caitlin Clark to one of the WNBA’s ‘all-time greats’
The players want higher salaries and a better business model
According to the WNBA players union, they are seeking to have a “business model that reflects their true value,” with higher salaries and additional benefits as key demands. As it stands, player salaries, which are collectively bargained, range from approximately$64,154 to $241,984 for those on a supermaximum contract.
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In contrast, the upstart women’s league Unrivaled, which is wrapping up its first season in March, currently offers an average salary of over $220,000, along with an equity stake in the league.
Napheesa Collier (pictured) and Breanna Stewart co-founded Unrivaled (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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Kane, a union spokesperson, expressed hope for the upcoming CBA negotiations: “The most important thing has always been ensuring that WNBA players are compensated for their contributions on the court. I’m optimistic that this CBA negotiation will be progressive and make significant strides.“
Clark’s rising fame: Endorsements and more
While Clark’s salary might not reflect her worth, the WNBA star has lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge, Lilly, and Panini.
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However, her most profitable collaboration is with Nike. They secured Clark with an eight-year deal valued at over $3 million annually, ahead of her expected WNBA Rookie of the Year campaign. She recently appeared in an all-female ad for the Super Bowl, which also featured Sabrina Ionescu and A’Ja Wilson.
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Clark made her debut on Sportico’s list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes, driven by an estimated $11 million in endorsement earnings, which includes her NIL money from her time at Iowa earlier in 2024.