Sophie Cunningham spoke highly of DeWanna Bonner during her USA Sports Network debut as an analyst on Wednesday. Cunningham discussed Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury’s surprising losing start this season when she spoke about the veteran forward’s credentials.
“Everyone around the league truly is stunned,” Cunningham said of the Mercury’s 4-11 run before Wednesday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces. “I am a little struck because you still have Kah [Kahlea Copper] … you have AT [Alyssas Thomas], who knows how to put people in positions to score and then you have DeWanna Bonner. … She has been a great shooter for every team she’s been on. Not just a shooter, but a scorer in general.”
Bonner has struggled to score on all levels, averaging 8.5 points on 35.5% field goal and 20.6% three-point shooting. Last year, she thrived after returning to the Mercury following her abrupt departure from the Indiana Fever after nine games despite signing a $200,000 deal, drawing significant criticism from Cunningham.
Sophie Cunningham wasn’t critical of Bonner wanting to move as she was “unhappy” in Indiana, but expected the forward to be professional about it. Here’s what Cunningham said about this saga in August 2025 during an episode of her podcast, “Show Me Something”:
“She got to Indiana and she just wasn’t really happy, and I want people to be happy, so that’s why I’m kind of like neutral on this one, which everyone is surprised about. She’s toward the end of her career, like she deserves her flowers; she deserves to be happy. But I also think that if you’re going to leave, you’re going to have to expect getting booed.
“I’m still rooting for her. I want her to end her career and be happy, but I also think like it’s okay to be professional about it. Send a text to your teammates, send a text like, ‘Hey, love you guys,’ or you don’t even have to say, ‘Love you guys.’ Say, ‘Sorry this didn’t work out, good luck …’ There’s a way to handle that, I think.”
Meanwhile, Bonner said she wanted to return home to receive love and support from people in familiar settings after a rocky stint with the Fever.
Sophie Cunningham supports WNBA’s 50-game season decision
Sophie Cunningham has expressed support for the WNBA’s decision to expand the regular season to 50 games in 2027. Amid the league’s rising popularity and multi-million dollar TV deals, the league feels it’s time to extend the season, which currently has 44 games per team.
Here’s what Cunningham said about the decision on her USA Sports Network debut on Wednesday:
“My knees are already starting to hurt a little bit more … but I do say, you know, if we’re gonna be getting paid that much amount of money, you’re expected to play more games. I think it’s fair, I think you’re gonna see the season expand into November and so I’m all for it.”
The WNBPA and WNBA reached a historic CBA agreement in the offseason, with players earning drastic pay raises and benefits. Max contracts reached the nine-figure mark per year, while rookie contracts start at $270,000 per year for second-round picks, and the No. 1 pick can make a base-level salary of $500,000.
Sophie Cunningham also received a significant pay bump. She re-signed with the Fever on a one-year $665,000 deal after playing on a one-year $100,000 contract last year.
Read more:
- WNBA Fans Divided Over League’s Massive 50-Game Expansion
- “Waiting To Be Traded”: Fans Get Suspicious As Chennedy Carter Ruled Out Of Aces’ Next Game Amid Free Agency Speculation
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