Sophie Cunningham did not mince words when asked about life on a WNBA paycheck, and her honesty quickly became part of a larger conversation around player income. Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Cunningham acknowledged that while players are getting by, the margin is thin.
“You know, barely,” Cunningham said. “But we’re still surviving.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUi9QoLEwII
That reality has pushed more players to think out loud about alternative income streams. Cunningham did just that when she discussed the idea of platforms like OnlyFans, framing it as a possible backup rather than a replacement. “Not Plan A, Project B,” she explained. “I think you need the league cuz that’s what gives you the platform to have all these fans. … Maybe Plan B should support that platform (OnlyFans).”
The comments were measured and practical, but they still stood out because they came from an active player speaking openly about financial gaps. Sophie Cunningham made it clear that the league remains the foundation. The exposure, visibility, and credibility all come from the WNBA, even if the pay does not always match the workload.
Her comments stayed hypothetical and focused on structure. The league builds the audience, and any side income would depend on that base.
As the WNBA continues CBA talks and long-term planning, Sophie Cunningham’s words serve as a reminder. The talent is here. The audience is growing. The pay conversation is not going away.
Sophie Cunningham Clarifies Her Role After Viral Attention and Online Comparisons
Sophie Cunningham found herself addressing a different kind of spotlight after a separate moment drew attention online. During a media interaction, Cunningham reacted to how quickly conversations can spiral once clips or comments hit social media.
“Am I a sports figure?” Sophie Cunningham said. “Do I play against this person? Am I Angel Reese. … I just knew you guys were going to do something like that.”
From confirmed reporting, Cunningham has consistently focused on her role as a player and the realities that come with it. She has spoken openly about pay, workload, and public perception, often without dressing it up.
As coverage around Sophie Cunningham continues, moments like this show the balance she tries to keep. She engages honestly, but she also pushes back when stories drift away from facts. In an era where clips move faster than context, her response added a pause to the noise rather than more fuel.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
