Sophie Cunningham has never been one to stay quiet when something doesn’t sit right with her, and this week, the Indiana Fever guard made that clear again.
Known for her fearless voice on and off the court, Cunningham‘s latest social media post captured what many fans were thinking after reading a stunning report about NBA guard Terry Rozier.
The veteran WNBA player, who joined the Fever ahead of the 2025 season following six years with the Phoenix Mercury, has long used her platform to speak out about fairness, equality, and the treatment of players across professional basketball. But even by her standards, this story hit a nerve.
On Thursday, Rozier was arrested by federal authorities on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering tied to an alleged illegal sports betting operation, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Despite the severity of the charges, a report confirmed that Rozier is still set to receive his full $26 million salary for the season while on administrative leave.
The news, verified by Front Office Sports, quickly spread across social media, and Cunningham didn’t hold back her reaction.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “No way. please tell me this is fake…”
A viral reaction that struck a deeper chord
The policy in question, detailed under Exhibit F-7 of the NBA‘s collective bargaining agreement, states that a player placed on administrative leave “shall be ineligible to play in any of his team’s games. However, the player will continue to receive his salary and other welfare benefits to which he would be entitled as an active player.”
For Cunningham, and many WNBA fans, the revelation reignited long-standing frustrations about the financial gap between the men’s and women’s leagues.
While Rozier will continue to collect millions while suspended, even some of the WNBA‘s top stars make a fraction of that amount annually.
Although Cunningham didn’t directly mention the gender pay disparity in her post, the timing of her comment couldn’t be ignored.
As one of the WNBA‘s most outspoken personalities, her surprise echoed the disbelief of many who have followed her advocacy for fair compensation and treatment in women’s sports.
Before her season-ending knee injury in August, Cunningham had been a steady presence for the Fever, averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
More importantly, she had become a vocal leader in the locker room, a reputation that followed her from her days in Phoenix.
Now, as she enters free agency after her first season in Indiana, Cunningham faces an uncertain future on the court. She’s expressed interest in re-signing with the Fever, but no new deal has been finalized. Still, her voice remains as impactful as ever.
While the NBA‘s handling of Rozier‘s case may be legally sound, it’s clear that the optics don’t sit well with many players across professional basketball.
And for Sophie Cunningham, who has made a career out of standing up for what she believes in, this was one moment she simply couldn’t scroll past.
Her words, “please tell me this is fake”, may have been brief, but they captured the frustration of countless athletes still waiting for a level playing field.
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