Sophie Cunningham Without the WNBA Finals

Sophie Cunningham, the Indiana Fever guard, announced last week that she plans to skip the WNBA Finals this year due to the league’s “toxicity” throughout the season. On Tuesday, she revealed that she hadn’t even tuned into the first two games of the series.

During a recent podcast episode, Cunningham expressed her surprise at learning the Las Vegas Aces had taken a 2-0 lead over her former team, the Phoenix Mercury. “Please show me something,” she remarked, highlighting her disconnection from the ongoing competition.

“I haven’t seen the movie at all. I mean, I really don’t understand what’s going on,” she said. She mentioned discussing her feelings with teammates during her exit interview, stating, “Purification is required. I’m booking a vacation.” It seems like she feels the need to step back and recharge after a tough season.

“Honestly, I don’t care who wins the Finals. Best of luck to whoever takes it. I just—I need a break from all the drama,” Cunningham admitted. It’s clear she’s feeling overwhelmed, having endured a particularly eventful season.

In addition to battling injuries, which included her own season-ending setback, Cunningham has openly criticized the WNBA’s leadership. She spoke out against Commissioner Kathy Engelbert during her exit interview, expressing frustration with the way the league is run and calling for better accountability. “There are a lot of people in power who might be good at business but don’t really understand basketball, and that’s a problem,” she stated.

Despite her grievances, she acknowledged that her first season with the Fever was special. “I’ve never been in such a close-knit locker room before. It was just fun and filled with love. There were many injuries, but I’m thankful for the memories this team created,” she reflected.