In a surprising twist shaking up the WNBA merchandise world, Indiana fever guard Sophie cunningham is reportedly leading the charge in specific memorabilia sales, even outpacing her globally famous teammate, Caitlin clark. While Clark’s arrival has undeniably transformed the league’s visibility and fan engagement, recent market data highlights an unexpected star in the memorabilia game. This phenomenon isn’t random; it’s the result of increased visibility, strategic team dynamics, and a single viral moment that captured the league’s attention.
The Unexpected Surge in Cunningham’s Market Value
Data recently emerged suggesting that Sophie Cunningham’s presence on the Indiana Fever roster has created a significant commercial ripple effect. A report from Yahoo! Sports, focusing on sales figures from Fanatics, the official WNBA merchandise retailer, revealed a notable trend: Cunningham’s apparel is currently proving highly popular. On the Fanatics website, three out of the top six best-selling Indiana Fever clothing items bear Cunningham’s name. In stark contrast, only one item in that same top six features Caitlin Clark. The top-selling Cunningham products include two types of leisurewear t-shirts and the official ‘Indiana Fever Nike Explorer Name & Number T-Shirt.’ This isn’t just about jerseys; it shows a broader demand for Cunningham-branded fan gear.
Catalysts Behind the Popularity Boom
Cunningham, a 28-year-old guard, was initially drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2019. She built a solid reputation, even gaining broader recognition through her work as an analyst on the Phoenix Suns’ television show ‘Suns Live!’. However, her current unprecedented surge in popularity and merchandise demand can be directly linked to two major factors. The first was her trade to the Indiana Fever in January 2025. This move placed her squarely alongside the most talked-about player in basketball.
The Catalyst: Joining the Indiana Fever
Joining the Indiana Fever meant teaming up with Caitlin Clark. This partnership immediately exposed Cunningham to a massive, previously untapped television audience. Every Fever game became a must-watch event for millions, shining a spotlight on every player on the court, including Cunningham. Her role, her performance, and her interactions became subjects of widespread discussion. While playing alongside Clark provided the platform, a specific on-court event provided the spark that ignited her commercial value.
The Viral Moment That Ignited Demand
The pivotal event occurred on June 18, 2025, during a game against the Connecticut Sun. The incident began when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon poked Caitlin Clark in the eye, leading to a brief scuffle involving multiple players. Later in the game, Sophie Cunningham took matters into her own hands. In what was widely interpreted as a protective action for her teammate, Cunningham committed a flagrant 2 foul on Sheldon, pulling her down forcefully during a layup attempt.
Cunningham was ejected for the play. However, the footage of the incident quickly went viral across social media platforms. Fans quickly dubbed Cunningham Clark’s ‘enforcer’ for the Fever. This moment resonated strongly with a segment of the WNBA fanbase. Cunningham later commented on her actions, stating they were “just part of the game” but heavily influenced by her view that referees had not adequately protected Clark as the league’s star player. She emphasized her dedication to sticking up for her teammates.
From Defender to Memorabilia Magnet
The aftermath of the viral incident was immediate and dramatic. Cunningham’s social media accounts saw an explosion in followers. By the following Monday, less than a week after the game, her Instagram account had gained over 900,000 new followers, and her TikTok account surpassed 1.3 million, totaling over a million new followers combined. Sportico estimated the value of this organic reach at over $1 million if acquired through paid branding efforts. This surge in social proof translated directly into commercial interest.
Sales of Cunningham’s merchandise, including jerseys and other forms of apparel, reportedly skyrocketed. The apparel company 500 Level confirmed selling over 2,300 Sophie Cunningham T-shirts in the week following the incident. This sudden demand propelled her items into the top ranks of Fever merchandise, placing her ahead of Clark in specific apparel categories sold on Fanatics. Her role in protecting Clark, while resulting in fines and ejections, inadvertently created a powerful new brand identity: the fiercely loyal teammate.
Soaring Trading Card Values
The impact of Cunningham’s rising profile wasn’t limited to apparel. It also significantly affected the collectible trading card market. According to a report from Sports Illustrated in April, prior to the viral incident, the price of Cunningham’s 2021 Panini Prizm WNBA “Rookie” Silver card had already seen a substantial increase of 189%.
However, the commercial momentum truly accelerated after the June 18th game. Data from eBay’s Terapeak and Card Ladder shows that Cunningham’s two most expensive trading card sales on record occurred on June 19th and 20th, fetching prices of $2,000 and $1,800, respectively. These figures dramatically surpassed her previous high public auction sale of $798 in May 2024. While Caitlin Clark’s card values remain astronomically higher (with a record sale of $366,000), Cunningham has emerged as one of the WNBA’s most significant beneficiaries of the league’s overall surge in popularity, largely catalyzed by Clark. Her market value surge directly correlates with her move to the Fever and the subsequent viral moment defending her teammate.
A New Kind of WNBA Star
Sophie Cunningham’s story is a fascinating case study in modern sports celebrity. While not possessing the pre-draft hype or immediate on-court statistical dominance of Caitlin Clark, her move to the Indiana Fever, her supportive role as a teammate, and one defining viral moment have cemented her status as a highly visible and commercially sought-after WNBA player. Her rise demonstrates how team dynamics, player personality, and strategic moments can translate into significant market value in the rapidly growing landscape of women’s basketball. Her memorabilia’s unexpected demand highlights the multifaceted nature of fan engagement, extending beyond star power to include appreciation for grit, loyalty, and the unwritten rules of protecting your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Sophie Cunningham’s sudden popularity in WNBA memorabilia?
Sophie Cunningham’s surge in popularity is linked to joining the Indiana Fever in January 2025, which exposed her to Caitlin Clark’s massive audience. A pivotal moment occurred on June 18, 2025, when she committed a flagrant foul against a Connecticut Sun player perceived as having wronged Clark. This viral incident earned her an ‘enforcer’ reputation and dramatically increased her social media following and merchandise demand.
How do Sophie Cunningham’s memorabilia sales compare to Caitlin Clark’s?
While Caitlin Clark remains the league’s biggest star, reports from Fanatics indicate a surprising trend. On the official WNBA merchandise site, three of the top six best-selling Indiana Fever clothing items currently feature Sophie Cunningham’s name, compared to only one featuring Caitlin Clark’s. This suggests Cunningham is outselling Clark in specific apparel categories for the Fever.
What specific incident led to Sophie Cunningham being called Caitlin Clark’s ‘enforcer’?
During a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 18, 2025, Sun player Jacy Sheldon poked Caitlin Clark in the eye. Later in the same game, Sophie Cunningham committed a flagrant 2 foul on Sheldon, pulling her down during a layup attempt. This action was widely interpreted as Cunningham retaliating to protect her teammate, earning her the nickname ‘enforcer’ among fans and sparking significant online discussion and media attention.
