Sophie Cunningham is in no rush to decide her next move as WNBA free agency stalls amid unresolved labour negotiations that could shape the league’s immediate future.
Cunningham‘s first season with the Indiana Fever in 2025 elevated her profile in ways few could have predicted.
She finished the year as the most searched WNBA player, the only female athlete to crack the overall top 10, even edging out her high profile teammate Caitlin Clark.
On the court, Cunningham‘s impact came despite adversity. She played 30 games before tearing the MCL in her right knee, an injury that required surgery and cut her season short.
Clark has openly spoken about wanting to keep the Fever core together and “run it back,” but Cunningham has been transparent about her own priorities.
She wants to understand her value and secure the best possible deal. For now, that process is on hold.
CBA talks cast a shadow over the offseason
Cunningham made her stance clear on Friday when asked on Instagram about her plans for next season. Her response was brief and pointed: “waiting to see if we will even have a season.”
The comment cut to the heart of the issue facing players across the league. At this same point last year, several WNBA free agents had already discussed deals and were simply waiting for the February 1 signing window to open.
This offseason has unfolded very differently. The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, and progress has been slow.
According to Alexa Philippou of ESPN, the two sides are still far apart on key points, including revenue sharing and the overall economic structure of the league.
Representatives from both groups are scheduled to meet Monday in New York, but there is no guarantee of a breakthrough.
For players, the uncertainty matters. A new CBA could alter salary structures, contract terms and even the framework of the season itself.
Signing a deal without knowing those details introduces risk, especially for veterans who are balancing financial security with long term stability.
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