There is a silver lining in an otherwise stingy contract extension for Sophie Cunningham. The Phoenix Mercury Guard recently signed a 1-year contract extension with the team that drafted her 13th overall in 2019. However, compared to her expected 2024 earnings of $154,500, the new contract dropped the amount to $100,000 — a $54,500 decrease. But why would the Mercury do so with a fan favorite?

Cunningham didn’t seem like the best choice for the Phoenix Mercury in her first 3 years with the team. However, in 2022, the roster changeover meant she became a starter, and the Missouri Tigers star came all guns blazing. She established herself as a 3-point specialist, sinking 70 3s that year, surpassing her tally of 58 from the previous three seasons combined. Moreover, in 2023, she also broke the WNBA record for most consecutive games with two 3s made – 17 – surpassing her legendary teammate Diana Taurasi’s 16.

Though her 2024 season hasn’t been overly successful, the contract extension was well-deserved. Though she has taken a massive pay cut, Phoenix has attempted to make up for it with a time-off bonus of $35,000. For the unversed, teams can give their players a time-off bonus of up to $50,000 as an encouragement for them to not play in other leagues during the WNBA offseason following a season.

This bonus will bring some solace to Cunningham. But even if it didn’t exist, the Missouri native is on a mission along with the Phoenix Mercury to bring joy to their loyal fans.

Sophie Cunningham’s commitment to the Mercury fans and her “home away from home”

In 2024, Sophie Cunningham is averaging 8.2 PPG, shooting 42.8% from the field and 37.7% from three. After the contract extension announcement on Sunday, Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren lauded the “fantastic leader” that Cunningham has been.

There might be a salary cut, but at no point have the Mercury made her feel uncomfortable. Head Coach Nate Tibbetts often refers to the 6-foot-1 Guard as their “sixth starter.” Such mutual affinity is the reason Cunningham is excited to keep bringing happiness to the loyal Mercury fans.

“Phoenix has become my home away from home, and I am so thrilled to be in the Valley and continue to get to play in front of the best fans in the W – the X-Factor,” Cunningham said in a statement. “The investments (owner) Mat (Ishbia) is making in our organization are unmatched and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of what we are building here, on the court and in the community.”

Cunningham’s lovable off-court personality and personal style have also mesmerized the fans. Having moved into Mercury’s Top 10 all-time leading scorers in August this year, she will also play a pivotal role in the playoffs with the Phoenix Mercury looking to repeat their 2014 championship victory.