Caitlin Clark is undeniably a global icon. She’s loved for everything she does, on and off the court. But surprisingly, this season, Sophie Cunningham stole the crown from Clark by becoming the most-searched WNBA player on the internet. And yet, for Sophie, it’s not even a big deal!

When she found out she ranked No. 7, and was the only woman to crack the Top 10 in Google’s annual “Year in Search” report, her response was unexpectedly humble.

“I really don't know how to feel about that. It's kind of cool, I guess… like, you're the only female up there. That's fun. But there's no real feelings toward it. People want to know more about me.” she said on the December 11 episode of her podcast Show Me Something. “I'm sure last year Clark was probably No. 1, right? She blew up in college… this is just this year.”

And she’s right. Caitlin Clark topped the list last year. But after being limited to only 13 games due to injuries this season, Clark’s cultural visibility naturally dipped.

So when her co-host, West Wilson, pointed out that very few athletes on the Top 10 list are still on their second professional contract, which includes Sophie. She cracked a joke,
“Does that mean I'm a late bloomer? If I'm on my second contract, it takes a lot more for people to know who I was.”

Well, the truth is, Sophie’s rise isn’t because she overshadowed Clark in basketball. It comes up as she dominated the news cycle this year. She went viral for grabbing Jacy Sheldon by the neck after Sheldon poked Clark in the eye. She picked up endorsement deals. Her podcast grew quickly. Her social media numbers skyrocketed. 

Clark, on the other hand, became a cultural phenomenon in college. She drove record-breaking viewership for the Iowa Hawkeyes and carried that momentum into the WNBA. 

So this is why Sophie rejects comparisons and refuses to make her ranking a big moment.

What’s next for Sophie Cunningham this offseason?

Sophie Cunningham just completed her contract with the Indiana Fever. She is now an unrestricted free agent. She has expressed interest in returning to Indy, but has also made it clear she will keep her options open.

However, for now, she’s also navigating the uncertainty that comes with waiting for a new CBA. With the CBA negotiations extended till January 9, she is also staring down free agency. Once the trading period opens in February 2026, Cunningham will have to decide between staying with the Fever or entering the portal.

Yet, for now, Cunningham is keeping herself busy in the offseason. She served as Caitlin Clark’s caddie at a pro-am event and partnered with Sun Cruiser for new promotional work.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi