Sophie Cunningham had a busy Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The WNBA guard joined country singer Cole Swindell on the track to give the drivers their pre-race instructions at the NASCAR Cup Series championship race, the Season Finale 400. A day earlier, on Saturday, comedian Matt Rife had performed at the Fever’s home arena in her jersey, and Cunningham posted a reaction. Ryan Blaney took the win, and Kyle Larson finished 12th but still secured back-to-back Cup titles. The weekend came while Cunningham waits on a new contract after Indiana’s season ended in the first round.
How did Sophie Cunningham react to Matt Rife’s move?
Sophie Cunningham. Image via: Getty Images
Cunningham posted a video of Rife heading to the stage at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The comedian wore the veteran guard’s jersey for his Saturday show. She added three emojis and tagged Rife on Instagram. “@mattrife 😏😝🔥,” Cunningham simply wrote. Rife has also invited the former Missouri star and Caitlin Clark to watch him perform.The NASCAR finale came a day later. Cunningham, 30, and Swindell, 43, took the track before the race and delivered the iconic line to the drivers to get the engines fired up. Fans reacted fast on social media, calling the WNBA star “amazing and wonderful.” Team Penske’s Blaney, 32, went on to win, while Larson, 34, secured a second straight Cup title.The track has been a regular stop lately. Two weeks earlier, Cunningham waved the checkered flag at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, as 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli moved toward becoming the youngest F1 world champion ever.
Cunningham’s free agency and message to coaches
A one-year deal with Indiana expired when the season ended, so the 30-year-old guard is now an unrestricted free agent. The eighth WNBA season, and second with the Fever, closed with a first-round loss to the Las Vegas Aces. The No. 6 seed finished 28-16, forced a Game 3 on Oct. 1 and lost 94-83 at Michelob ULTRA Arena to the then-defending champions. It was an up-and-down year, but Cunningham showed grit and hit timely baskets.Cunningham has also sent a message to coaches across the league calling for harder coaching. The next step is a new contract. It is unclear whether the Fever will bring the veteran back, and the answer depends on what they offer this offseason. Analysts expect plenty of interest from other teams because of the experience and skill set. Many still see a return to Indiana for another run at a title, with the chemistry built alongside Clark and Aliyah Boston.