Sophie Cunningham’s One-Word Reaction Says It All After $214,466 Fever Free Agent Earns a Jersey Retirement Honor

Sophie Cunningham is enjoying her offseason, but she remains supportive of her former Indiana Fever teammates. She recently played caddie with Lexie Hull for Caitlin Clark in The Annika Pro-Am Golf Tournament.

On Monday, Cunningham toasted fellow free agent Natasha Howard for the veteran forward’s jersey retirement at Florida State.

After the Fever shared photos of Howard’s special day, Cunningham wrote:

“Yes @natashahoward_6 🔥🔥”

Sophie Cunningham reacts to Natasha Howard's jersey retirement photos at Florida State on Monday. [photo: @indianafever/IG]

Howard played four seasons for Florida State (2011-2014). She posted career averages of 14.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Howard shot 51.6%, one of the best in college basketball history.

Natasha Howard, who signed a one-year, $214,466 deal with the Fever in February 2025, went No. 1 in the 2014 WNBA draft. After spending her first two seasons with the Fever, she played for the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty and Dallas Wings. She returned to Indiana this year in a highly touted free agent haul that included Cunningham.

The Fever, despite season-ending injuries to key players, reached the semifinals of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Howard and Cunningham played key roles in helping the Fever to an improbable run.

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Indiana Fever could lose both Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham in free agency

The WNBA is looking at its biggest free agency period in history. Only a few players on non-rookie deals have contracts with teams. Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham, who played well for the Indiana Fever last season, are free to sign for any team.

The Fever reportedly want to bring back the core of the team that showed incredible resilience and grit last season. Despite injuries to players like superstar Caitlin Clark, they gave the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces a tough fight in the semifinals.

However, both Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham are looking for more lucrative deals once the new CBA is ratified. After their 2025 showing, they will have no shortage of suitors.

Howard, however, is already 34, giving the Fever younger options to pair with All-Star center Aliyah Boston. Cunningham has value as a 3-and-D player who doubles as Clark’s protector. Indiana will have to spend to keep her on the team.