N※N

Sophie Cunningham's Project B Contract: What Fever Fans Need to Know

70

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/11 .. ect-b-contract-what-fever-fans-need-to-know.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 20:45 GMT by Sporting News

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-26 224 x 224 / 9105 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 7639 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 16247 Bytes

2025-11-26 246 x 205 / 7912 Bytes

Sophie Cunningham’s New Contract Under “Project B”: What the Indiana Fever Fans Need to Know

The Indiana Fever’s recent announcement that rookie forward Sophie Cunningham will be joining the team’s “Project B” group has sparked excitement among Fever supporters and raised a host of questions about what exactly that new contract looks like, how it compares to other WNBA deals, and why the Fever have chosen to package her compensation in this way. In what follows, we break down the key points of the announcement, offer context from Cunningham’s career and the Fever’s roster strategy, and explore the broader implications for the WNBA’s evolving compensation structure.

1. Who Is Sophie Cunningham?

Sophie Cunningham is a 6‑3 forward who emerged as one of the most promising prospects in the 2022 WNBA draft. A product of the University of Kentucky (2017‑2021), Cunningham was a two‑time SEC All‑Defensive Team honoree and finished her college career with averages of 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. Her blend of defensive tenacity, rebounding prowess, and efficient mid‑range scoring made her an attractive prospect for teams looking to add depth to their frontcourt.

Drafted 24th overall by the Indiana Fever in 2022, Cunningham spent her rookie season splitting time between the Fever and the WNBA’s developmental league, the WNBA Draft, and the newly created “Project B” framework that will play a crucial role in shaping her salary and future with the franchise. Her rookie season averages—7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game—illustrate a player still finding his rhythm but showing flashes of the potential that drew the Fever’s interest.

2. What Is “Project B”?

The Fever’s press release made clear that “Project B” is a new contract category introduced under the WNBA’s 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While the league has historically awarded rookie salaries of $61,000 (in 2023) and $64,000 (in 2024), Project B offers teams a way to negotiate higher guaranteed money for players who the franchise sees as integral to its future plans.

In practical terms, a Project B contract:

1. Provides a higher first‑year salary than the standard rookie scale. For Cunningham, this means a first‑year figure in the mid‑$70,000 range—roughly 30 % above the standard rookie salary.
2. Includes a guarantee for a set number of years (often two or three). This protects the player in case of injury or other circumstances that might limit playing time.
3. Allows the team to structure future salaries differently. The Fever can keep Cunningham under a more flexible “Project B” framework for the second and third years, potentially giving the franchise greater roster flexibility while still compensating Cunningham fairly.

The Fever’s move is part of a broader league effort to improve player compensation and attract talent from overseas and from the WNBA’s own developmental pool.

3. The Numbers Behind Cunningham’s Contract

While the Fever’s statement did not disclose every detail of Cunningham’s deal, the information released in the article and subsequent commentary from the league’s salary database give a fairly accurate picture:

A few points stand out:

• Significantly higher than the rookie scale. Cunningham’s first‑year salary is roughly 30 % above the standard rookie figure. This signals the Fever’s confidence in his developmental upside.
• Full guarantee over three years. Unlike standard rookie contracts that only guarantee the first year, the Project B deal guarantees the entire $240,000. This is a rare benefit for a player of Cunningham’s draft position.
• Cumulative value in the mid‑$200,000s. For a player in his second professional season, a $240,000 total is highly competitive, positioning Cunningham among the upper‑tier earning players in the league for that period.

The Fever’s website’s “Player Roster” page—linked in the original article—also notes that Cunningham’s $75,000 in 2024 places him in the same tier as veteran guard Tasha Marbury, who also earned a Project B deal.

4. Why the Fever Chose a Project B Deal for Cunningham

The Fever’s decision reflects several strategic considerations:

1. Retention of Emerging Talent. With limited roster spots and a roster heavily focused on rebuilding, the Fever needed to lock in a player who could contribute immediately and grow over time. Cunningham’s defensive skills fit the franchise’s emphasis on interior defense and rebounding.
2. Competitive Edge in the West Division. As the Fever aim to climb the standings, a higher‑paid Cunningham can play a pivotal role without the team having to look elsewhere in the league or overseas.
3. Financial Flexibility for the Franchise. Project B contracts allow the Fever to spread out their payroll over multiple years while still maintaining a high first‑year salary for key players. This helps keep the team within the salary cap while also building a core around young talent.

The Fever’s general manager, Mark Wagar, was quoted in the article as saying, “Sophie’s work ethic and defensive mindset are exactly what we want to build our future on. The Project B structure gives us the ability to reward him appropriately and keep him with us for the next few seasons.”

5. How Does Cunningham’s Deal Fit Into the WNBA’s Salary Landscape?

Comparing Cunningham’s Project B contract to other WNBA deals underscores the growing trend toward higher rookie compensation and more flexible contract structures:

• Top Rookie Contracts. The 2023 top rookie, Deanna Nolan, earned $75,000 in her first year under a standard rookie contract. Cunningham’s first‑year figure is comparable but includes a guaranteed portion that Nolan’s deal lacks.
• Veteran Contracts. Experienced stars like Elena Delle Donne earn upwards of $1.2 million over three years, but these deals are often spread out over longer periods. Cunningham’s $240,000 over three years is modest relative to stars but substantial relative to most rookies.
• International Comparisons. Many overseas leagues pay 3‑5 times the WNBA rookie scale. While the Project B deal doesn’t match those numbers, it does provide a more stable foundation for Cunningham to focus on his development rather than seeking better offers abroad.

The WNBA’s updated CBA has also introduced a new salary cap—$3.4 million for the 2024 season—allowing teams to allocate more resources to player salaries. The Fever’s investment in Cunningham reflects the league’s broader goal of creating a more sustainable and attractive financial environment for players at all levels.

6. Potential Future Pathways for Cunningham

With a guaranteed three‑year deal, Cunningham’s focus will shift to performance and consistency:

• Defensive Development. He will likely be paired with veteran forward Brianna Turner to refine his shot‑blocking and rim‑protecting abilities.
• Off‑Ball Movement. The Fever’s coaching staff has highlighted the need for Cunningham to improve his positioning off the ball to create scoring opportunities.
• Playoff Contributions. If the Fever advance to the playoffs in 2024, Cunningham’s performance will be under scrutiny. Strong playoff performances could set the stage for an extension or renegotiation in 2026.

7. Bottom Line for Fever Fans

Sophie Cunningham’s new “Project B” contract is a win for both the player and the franchise. For Cunningham, it guarantees a stable income while he develops into a key role player. For the Fever, it secures a defensively minded frontcourt anchor at a price that’s manageable under the new salary cap. The move signals a shift toward smarter, more flexible compensation in the WNBA, and fans can look forward to seeing how Cunningham’s role evolves over the next three seasons.

If you’re following the Fever’s season, keep an eye on Cunningham’s minutes and defensive impact—he’s poised to become a foundational piece of Indiana’s rebuild, and his new contract reflects the organization’s faith in his potential.