Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been making a lot of noise this season. On the court, she is turning heads with her production and her antics against her opponents. Off the court, she has sparked a heated debate on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. However, she knows that all of this will not last forever.
On the “Sons and Daughters” podcast, Cunningham gave people a glimpse of what she hopes to pursue after the WNBA. Retirement is still far down the road, and she still does not have a clear picture of what’s next, but she is perfectly comfortable letting it all unfold.
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“I know whatever God has in store for me after the ball stops bouncing is going to be fun,” Cunningham said. “It’s going to be something that I’m passionate about. But we’ll see.”
Going back to her Missouri roots
This season, Cunningham is set to earn $665,000. She has been reliable for the Fever since the Phoenix Mercury traded her in 2025. She is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists, providing spark off the bench with her 3-point shooting, which is second-best in the league at 43.4 percent.
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Her consistent production for the Fever and Mercury has earned her more than $1.3 million over eight seasons. With lucrative business deals with brands like adidas and Once Upon a Coconut adding to her earnings, Cunningham has built a comfortable life for herself and her family. Still, this success has not pulled her away from her Missouri roots.
Cunningham grew up with her siblings on their family farm in Rocheport, Missouri. The rural lifestyle became a big part of who she is. She owns a donkey. She loves trail-riding. In other words, no matter how far her career takes her, the farm is still her home.
Aside from being a place where she fell in love with basketball, Missouri shaped her views on family and the type of life she wants for herself. And once everything is all said and done, Cunningham hopes to build that life.
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“I want to be married. I want to have babies. I want to have land. I want to have horses. I want to have cows. I want to have all that,” she said. “I would love to just do things, travel, and, just spend time with the people that I love.”
Sophie sees broadcasting as an option
Beyond family life, Cunningham also wants to stay active after retirement. She does not have a specific career mapped out yet, but she already has an idea of what she wants from her next chapter.
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However, knowing herself, the 6’1″ guard said she would want to have a people-oriented career that involves communication and socialization with other people. Although she remains unsure about coaching due to its proximity to the lifestyle and demands of basketball, she is open to pursuing broadcasting.
Entering the media has become a natural post-career path for many athletes, including WNBA legends Candace Parker, Sue Bird and Cynthia Cooper, as well as Chiney Ogwumike. And Sophie could see herself following a similar path.
“I also would love to get into broadcasting…I don’t know if I want to coach. I don’t know if I want to do anything like that because the lifestyle, you know, is the lifestyle,” Cunningham explained.
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“I truly do not know, but I’m sure it involves talking. I’m sure it involves working with people, and doing something. So, we’ll see what happens.”
At 30 years old and in her eighth WNBA season, Cunningham still has plenty of basketball ahead of her. For now, she will keep playing until the picture of her life post-basketball becomes crystal clear.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Sep 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
