After spending six years with the Phoenix Mercury, Sophie Cunningham’s transition to the Indiana Fever was an emotional journey. While she had deep roots in Phoenix, there were certain individuals within the organization who didn’t sit well with her.
Speaking on her *Show Me Something* podcast, Cunningham shared, “There are some people. When I played in Phoenix last year, there were some people I did not like.” She even confronted them during a game against the Mercury last season. “I played well in that game, and I looked at some people and said, ‘F*** you,’ because I just had to get it off my chest. I looked right at them and said it.”
Despite those tensions, Cunningham maintained a strong relationship with the front office. In fact, she could have spent her entire WNBA career in Phoenix. “I had been there for six years, so I was really close with the management—pretty much everyone who worked there,” she explained.
The separation was amicable. The Mercury’s front office explained the trade’s details, and Cunningham agreed. She was excited about the move, saying, “I can get back to the Midwest. I miss my family, my friends, and the vibes of the Midwest.”
The trade was part of a massive four-team deal involving the Mercury, Dallas Wings, and Connecticut Sun—one of the largest in WNBA history. The Fever received Cunningham and a 2025 second-round pick from Phoenix, plus Jaelyn Brown from Dallas. Dallas acquired forward NaLyssa Smith from Indiana, while Connecticut landed a 2025 first-round pick from Indiana.
Phoenix used the trade to rebuild, bringing in perennial All-Stars Satou Sabally from Dallas and Alyssa Thomas from Connecticut, along with veteran center Kalani Brown and guard Sevgi Uzun from Dallas.
Initially excited about the trade, Cunningham later felt emotional as reality set in. “I was like, what am I doing? I have my people here, I’m building a name and business in Arizona, making good money,” she recalled. She acknowledged the risk felt scary but added, “That’s when you start to blossom, and I’m so grateful I did it.”
The move has proven successful. Cunningham became a key part of the Fever’s 2025 rotation, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. She won the Commissioner’s Cup with the team, which also reached the WNBA playoff semifinals. She re-signed with Indiana for the 2026 season and may stay even longer.
Sophie Cunningham Explains Why Leaving Phoenix Was Necessary for Her Growth