The Indiana Fever is once again building a championship team around its core. The Fever team decided to sign Kelsey Mitchell to a supermax contract and add Lexie Hull at the same time. While fans are already looking for another mega ‘return’, the only pending influential player from the 2025 original team was Sophie Cunningham.
As per the latest reports, the Fever team made efforts to add the versatile star to the lineup, keeping its salary cap intact.
Sophie Cunningham Returns To Indiana Fever
The Fever fanbase was demanding the return of the former Mercury star for the 2026 season, and above all, Caitlin Clark also wanted to get Cunningham back at the Fever. The franchise acted accordingly and handed the ‘enforcer’ another season with the franchise.
As per the report, Cunningham agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Indiana Fever. Her previous contract was also for one year.
Breaking: Sophie Cunningham has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Indiana Fever, sources told ESPN.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 12, 2026
Cunningham joins guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull in coming back to the Fever. Indiana has also added newcomers Monique Billings & Ty Harris so far this free agency pic.twitter.com/OE6y0Y9fhl
“We are thrilled to have Sophie back with the Fever and are grateful for her commitment to return and build on what we started a year ago. Not only is Sophie one of the best three-point shooters in the league, but she is an exceptional teammate, both on and off the court,” COO and General Manager Amber Cox said.
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Interestingly, the player played 30 games in the 2025 season and yet was in the top four players in both scoring (257 points) and rebounds (105) for the Fever team. The 28-year-old had surgery and has said on her “Show Me Something” podcast that she is healthy and ready to go, and her addition would certainly pump up the dressing room and fanbase.
Sophie Cunningham Provides the Indiana Fever A Stronger Opportunity For A Championship
The Indiana Fever so far added Molique Billings, Ty Harris, Lexie Hull, Damaris Dantas, and Kelsey Mitchell to the lineup, taking their player count to nine, including the latest addition of the 29-year-old guard.
The former Missouri star would serve as the ultimate competitive spark plug for the Indiana Fever’s 2026 title pursuit. Famous for her “grit and grind” mentality, she brings a playoff-tested toughness that perfectly complements the generational talent of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark.
what Sophie said ♨️ pic.twitter.com/63hbdfe4hW
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 12, 2026
With many talented playmakers and paint region ‘specialist’, she could be a floor spacer; her ability to knock down transition triples forces defenders to stay glued to the perimeter, opening up the lane for Clark’s elite playmaking and Boston’s interior dominance.
Beyond the stat sheet, Cunningham provides the veteran edge necessary for a deep championship run. Her physical presence protects the Fever’s younger core, ensuring they aren’t bullied in high-stakes moments.