Sophie Cunningham landed a monster one-year, $665,000 contract with the Indiana Fever, a deal nearly $100,000 more than what she pulled in over her first seven seasons combined. This raise is all thanks to the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. But if you think the veteran guard is hitting the mall for a massive shopping spree with that new cash, you’ve got another thing coming. Cunningham is putting her money to work, and it is a masterclass in smart financial moves.
The Arizona Empire Just Got Started
The 30-year-old guard, who spent six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before joining the Fever in 2025, isn’t blowing her new salary. Instead, she’s investing big time. ESPN just dropped a report detailing Cunningham’s growing real estate portfolio, and it’s super impressive. She has already purchased vacation properties in Arizona and is renting them out on a short-term basis. What’s even smarter? She hires a company to manage these properties. This move lets her stay completely locked in on basketball while her business keeps generating income. That’s how you play the long game, people.
Nashville and Florida Are Next On Her Hit List
But Cunningham is far from done. She told ESPN that she is already eyeing even more properties, with Nashville and Florida next on her list. And this isn’t just about picking hot rental markets. She wants to invest in places she actually wants to visit herself. “I’m about to probably buy one in Nashville and Florida, and so I’m just starting to make a business outside of the court,” Cunningham said, per ESPN. “It’s good, it’s fun. I’m trying to buy places that I want to go visit, so when I’m there, I don’t have to pay for it.” Talk about a practical approach. Why pay for a vacation when your vacation spot is making *you* money?
This new contract for Cunningham really highlights how much the financial landscape has changed for WNBA players. A higher salary brings security, sure, but it also creates massive opportunities to build businesses and wealth that can last way beyond a playing career.
Be Smart With That Money
Cunningham is absolutely preaching this message to her fellow WNBA players. After years of waiting for a substantial pay increase, she stressed how important it is for players to be “smart with that money.” She made it clear that players cannot just spend everything without thinking about investments or their lives after basketball. “I think it allows all of us to kind of grow and be businesswomen,” Cunningham said. This isn’t just about playing ball anymore, it is about building an empire. For Cunningham, the goal is crystal clear: she is using her Fever contract to build a business that will keep bringing in income long after she takes her final shot. It is a savvy plan, and it is one that every athlete should be watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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