Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham joined a lineup of elite athletes for her debut in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, photographed by Katherine Goguen on Captiva Island, Florida. The feature, released on May 12, 2026, highlights the 29-year-old’s growing influence in women’s basketball culture alongside fellow featured stars like Napheesa Collier and Ilona Maher.
Cunningham, who entered her eighth WNBA season and second with the Fever, expressed her excitement on Instagram following the release of the photos. The post garnered significant attention and support from high-profile figures across the sporting world, including world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda and teammate Caitlin Clark.
“year 1 with @si_swimsuit 😮💨✨ AHHHH!” shared Sophie Cunningham, Guard for the Indiana Fever.
The photo shoot at the South Seas Resort was designed to celebrate various female forms and athleticism. According to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the style team utilized sculptural silhouettes and sleek lines to emphasize the physical strength of the participating athletes.
“It really was so fun,” said Sophie Cunningham, Guard for the Indiana Fever. “You just feel so empowered, and something I really do love about it is like, they choose … different body sizes, shapes and sizes, different ethnicities, like they just empower all types of women, and it really was like frickin’ awesome. It was awesome.”
Cunningham’s appearance reflects a broader trend of WNBA players building substantial personal brands through endorsements and media roles. In addition to her playing career, Cunningham serves as a studio analyst for USA Network’s WNBA broadcasts and holds deals with brands such as Adidas and Quest Nutrition.
Other league veterans are also focusing on long-term financial stability through diverse investments. Los Angeles Sparks veteran Dearica Hamby recently signed a multi-million dollar extension while launching a smoothie business in Las Vegas.
“Obviously, more money, more problems,” joked Dearica Hamby, Veteran for the Los Angeles Sparks. “I’m going to continue to live the way I’ve been living. I’m not going to overindulge because there’s more money on the table. But definitely gonna just be smart about my investments and build things for my daughter.”
The 2026 issue also features veteran SI Swimsuit models like gymnast Livvy Dunne and Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier also made her debut in this edition after a stellar 2025 season where she finished as the runner-up for the league’s MVP award.
“Okkkkkk 🔥🔥,” wrote Nelly Korda, Professional Golfer.
Cunningham’s viral moment was further punctuated by comments from WNBA rookies and teammates who noted her expanding presence off the hardwood. Indiana Fever teammate Lexie Hull and rookie Raven Johnson were among those reacting to the photography release.
“I mean like 😍😍😍😍😍,” wrote Raven Johnson, WNBA Rookie.
The basketball star’s transition into mainstream media follows a season where she shot 43.2 percent from three-point range. She remains one of several players, including Angel Reese and Breanna Stewart, who have leveraged their professional basketball success into equity-based partnerships and ownership ventures.
“Oh em geeeeeeee,” added Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever Guard.