Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham says she has hired round-the-clock security, a step she described after recently discussing concerns about stalkers.
“I’ve definitely hired security,” Cunningham said on her “No Hesitation” podcast with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen. She said the security team would begin traveling with her the following week.
Cunningham said the attention now follows her wherever she goes, not just in places where fans might recognize her from basketball. “It doesn’t matter what state, what city,” she said. “It’s everywhere.”
Her comments came after an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, “This Past Weekend.” There, Cunningham said she believed the FBI was monitoring about 20 people because of concerns involving her. She did not name the people or explain the agency’s role, and her account has not been independently verified.
In June, Indiana prosecutors charged Kevin Singh with felony stalking and intimidation, along with misdemeanor harassment, in a case involving Cunningham. Court documents cited by The Associated Press say Cunningham told investigators that the unwanted contact had given her nightmares and led her to stay home more often. The charges are allegations.
During the “No Hesitation” episode, Hanlen asked how Cunningham’s growing public profile had affected her day-to-day life. He said he, too, gets hostile messages because of his association with her.
Cunningham said some online critics seem to carry “so much hatred in their heart.” But, she added, learning how to keep a normal routine has been one of the bigger challenges.
“You have to kind of find a balance of getting away and making sure that you’re filling up your own cup,” she said.
She said she is still happy to take pictures and sign autographs, though she has started asking people to wait until she has finished eating. Once she agrees to take a photo with one person, she said, others often keep approaching.
Even visits home can leave her feeling as if she has spent more time with strangers than with her relatives. “The boundaries is probably the biggest thing that you have to learn,” she said.
Cunningham also criticized the WNBA’s selection process for its 3-point contest. Asked whether she would rather win that event or “Dancing with the Stars,” she picked the television competition and questioned whether her shooting would earn her an invitation.
“I think with a three-point competition, it’s just so clearly political. They’re going to choose random people,” she said, adding that she doubted she would be selected regardless of how well she performed.
Cunningham made 41.9% of her 3-pointers during the 2026 regular season but was not among the six players announced for the contest in July. The league’s announcement noted that all six selected players ranked among the top 10 in made 3-pointers entering play on July 21. Cunningham did not explain what she meant by “political” or point to anyone she believed was responsible for her omission.
She also called for a tougher coaching style after Hanlen suggested that some coaches do not push young female players as hard as male players.
“Bring back hard coaching,” Cunningham said. She praised coaches who set high expectations and care enough to challenge their players, saying athletes also need to be open to correction.
“You can’t expect to be great and reach your fullest potential if you can’t handle someone correcting you,” she said. “I do think that coaches are too soft on athletes nowadays.”
“Athletes, take the ownership,” she added. “It’s okay for someone to chew your ass a little bit. That’s part of it because that’s what makes athletes great.”
