Sophie Cunningham. Image via: Imagn Images Sophie Cunningham is turning viral fame into a footwear deal. The Indiana Fever guard is getting her own adidas Crazy Energy player-exclusive colorway, set to release July 24 for $120, continuing a stretch that has made her one of the WNBA’s most talked-about personalities regardless of what shows up in the box score.The news lands just days after Cunningham gave Phoenix Mercury fans a taste of their own medicine, reviving her now-famous pointing gesture during a tense rematch in Arizona.
Sophie Cunningham is reportedly getting her first adidas colorway
The pink and cream Crazy Energy PE, confirmed by Sole Retriever and adidas itself, marks Cunningham’s first individual sneaker rollout after appearing in ad campaigns for the adidas Dame X alongside Chelsea Gray. Reported details about the sneaker–CategoryDetailsPlayerSophie CunninghamTeamIndiana FeverSneakeradidas Crazy Energy (Player Exclusive colorway)Release DateJuly 24Style CodeHP5223Retail Price$120It joins other WNBA-driven Crazy Energy colorways from players like Satou Sabally, also dropping July 24. Cunningham averages 9.6 points and 2.6 rebounds this season, modest numbers that have drawn some criticism online given the shoe deal, but her audience tells a different story: she carries close to 2 million Instagram followers, co-hosts the “Show Me Something” podcast, and has already appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue this year.
Sophie Cunningham keeps her pointing meme alive
Sophie Cunningham. Image via: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cunningham’s meme status traces back to June 22, when Caitlin Clark and Bonner tangled in the fourth quarter of a Fever win over the Mercury. Cunningham rushed in to defend her teammate, and when Bonner turned her frustration on Cunningham instead, Cunningham responded by silently pointing at her for 22 seconds without saying a word. Five players, including Clark, Bonner and Cunningham, picked up technical fouls on the play, and the moment exploded across social media, eventually reaching NFL and WWE accounts.That history resurfaced July 9 when the Fever beat the Mercury 92-89 at Phoenix’s Mortgage Matchup Center, with Cunningham playing a key role late while Clark sat out with a back injury. Mercury fans pointed at Cunningham en masse after she picked up an offensive foul, a clear callback to the June incident. Cunningham had the last word, turning and pointing back at the crowd as her teammates celebrated the win. She has previously called the entire saga “the stupidest thing I’ve ever done,” even as it keeps generating headlines.With the Fever now 13-9 and squarely in the playoff picture, and no more regular-season meetings scheduled between Indiana and Phoenix, Cunningham’s parting shot from Thursday’s game may be the final image of this particular rivalry until the postseason, if the two teams meet again at all.