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Sophie Cunningham is expanding her sports media résumé while continuing to help the Indiana Fever chase a WNBA championship. Cunningham recently interviewed Fever legend Tamika Catchings for a feature produced by USA Network. The conversation gave Cunningham an opportunity to move into the interviewer’s chair and explore the career of one of the greatest players in league history.
Catchings discussed her childhood, her time at Tennessee and the ambition that eventually carried her to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. During the interview shared by USA Network, Catchings recalled writing down her professional basketball goal while she was in seventh grade.
“I remember sitting up there in my room,” Catchings said. “I wrote down in my book, ‘One day I will.’”
Catchings then ran down the hallway to tell her siblings what she wanted to become.
“On that paper, I wrote, ‘One day I will be in the NBA,’” Catchings said. “WNBA was not around. So that was the first goal.”
Cunningham shows another side of her personality
Cunningham has previous broadcasting experience.
Before joining the Fever, she worked as an analyst on Phoenix Suns broadcasts while playing for the Phoenix Mercury. Her conversation with Catchings offered another glimpse at a possible career beyond basketball. It also connected two different generations of Fever players.
MORE: Stephanie White reveals when Team USA preparation begins after Fever win
Catchings spent all 15 seasons of her WNBA career in Indiana. She won the 2011 league MVP award, led the Fever to the 2012 championship and was named Defensive Player of the Year five times. Her career also included four Olympic gold medals and an NCAA championship at Tennessee.
Cunningham arrived in Indiana through a four-team trade before the 2025 season. She has since become one of the Fever’s most popular players through her physical style, timely shooting and outspoken personality.
Her increased prominence has created opportunities away from the court, including podcasting, endorsements and media work.
Cunningham has remained productive during that expansion. She has served as an important reserve for an Indiana team that improved to 26-14 with Friday’s victory over Connecticut.
The Fever are preparing for a playoff run, but Cunningham is also beginning to demonstrate what her career could look like after her playing days.
Interviewing a franchise icon such as Catchings was an ambitious assignment. Cunningham’s comfort in the role showed that basketball may not be the only place where she can command an audience.
English (US)