Sophie Cunningham turns one Fever foul into full-blown fame
ESPN reports the Indiana Fever guard’s profile surged after a 2025 clash with Jacy Sheldon during a game involving Caitlin Clark.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Sophie Cunningham’s profile exploded after one late-game collision in 2025, when the Indiana Fever guard was ejected for a flagrant foul on Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon, according to an ESPN profile by Hallie Grossman.
ESPN reported that the moment came with Indiana comfortably ahead and 46 seconds left. Earlier in the game, Fever star Caitlin Clark had been hit in the eye by Sheldon, then later made a 3-pointer before sitting for the night. Cunningham, chasing Sheldon after a steal, wrapped her up around the neck area and brought her to the floor, sparking a scrum and an ejection.
The play did more than end Cunningham’s night. ESPN framed it as the start of a new level of fame for the 29-year-old guard, who had already spent six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before joining Indiana.
A social media rocket launch
In the four days after the clash with Sheldon, Google searches for Cunningham’s name rose 800%, ESPN reported. Her TikTok following jumped from 300,000 before the June 17, 2025, game to 1.4 million within a week. ESPN said that figure later reached 3.2 million, ahead of Clark’s 1.1 million and A’ja Wilson’s 516,000.
The attention quickly became business. ESPN reported that Cunningham landed a partnership with Ring within two weeks. Her agency representative, Rishi Daulat, told ESPN that the bigger change was the amount of money she could command from endorsements.
By early 2026, ESPN reported, Cunningham was bouncing through a packed run of appearances and brand work, with stops including Missouri, Indianapolis, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Florida, San Diego and Atlanta.
The profile also listed a string of high-visibility moments: a billboard outside Madison Square Garden, an appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, work as a ring girl at UFC 329, an Adidas shoe colorway and a viral finger-pointing meme that spread widely enough to be used by the White House account.
The player behind the noise
Cunningham told ESPN she is aware that fans split hard on her. “People love me or they really frickin’ hate me,” she said. “I just don’t care.”
On the court, ESPN described Cunningham as a 6-foot-1 guard and strong shooter. The outlet reported that she has ranked in the WNBA’s top 10 in 3-point percentage in three of the past five years and was on pace to do it again while shooting a career-best 43.7%.
Cunningham rejected the idea that she is an official protector for Clark or anyone else. She told ESPN she is “not the enforcer” and “not a bodyguard,” adding that she will do what the team needs, including standing up for teammates.
Her family told ESPN that edge has been there since childhood in Missouri. Her father, Jim, recalled Sophie responding in a youth soccer game after an opponent hit her older sister Lindsey. Her mother, Paula, joked to ESPN that Cunningham should send Sheldon flowers because the incident changed her life.
Fever coach Stephanie White praised Cunningham’s toughness in the ESPN profile, saying her willingness to back teammates up was contagious. Teammate Kelsey Mitchell also credited Cunningham’s grit, while former Phoenix teammate Brittney Griner told ESPN that playing against Cunningham is irritating, but having her on your side is another matter.
After the Sheldon foul, Cunningham told ESPN she was nervous about how the Fever would react. According to Cunningham, White entered the locker room fired up, and Clark later came in with approval of the response. Cunningham said she would have done the same for any teammate.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.