Strange Bonds: Sophie Cunningham and Her Teammates Share an Unsettling Connection

Sophie Cunningham and her Indiana Fever teammates definitely exhibit a strange bond—both on and off the court—that stretches far beyond typical locker‑room camaraderie. From bizarre on‑court antics to unfiltered podcast confessions, their dynamic leaves observers bewildered, amused, and deeply curious about what exactly is going on behind the scenes.

Off‑Court: “Show Me Something” Podcast with West Wilson

Off the hardwood, Sophie Cunningham has launched a brand‑new podcast titled Show Me Something, co‑hosted with longtime friend and reality‑TV personality West Wilson. As she shared with People, the show’s main aim is fun and entertainment, allowing their friendship’s big personality and humor to come through. Cunningham explained: “We’re lighthearted, and sometimes our love language is, like s***‑talking… It’ll be cool that people can see our humor, what we’re actually like, and it’s coming from us—not from other people perceiving or portraying what they think we are.” iHeart+15The Independent+15Yardbarker+15

Both Cunningham and Wilson anticipate controversy, joking the podcast might “get canceled real fast” thanks to their unfiltered style and previous history of public scrutiny. West added that they’ve “been through the ringer” with media backlash before. uk.style.yahoo.com+2The Independent+2People.com+2

Podcast Outburst: Defending Caitlin Clark & Condemning Critics

In the inaugural episode, Cunningham zeroed in on critics of her teammate Caitlin Clark, declaring anyone who denies Clark’s status as the face of the WNBA is “dumb as s***” or “literally dumb as f‑k.” Her blunt hostility reflects real frustration over the way some players continue to target Clark physically on the court in an effort to “toughen her up.” New York Post+6The Sun+6New York Post+6

She also touched on a heated situation earlier in the season: after Connecticut Sun’s Jacy Sheldon reportedly poked Clark in the eye, Cunningham reacted physically—tossing Sheldon to the floor. She defended her teammate fiercely, saying, “It’s too much. I’m over it,” insisting players should not pick on someone helping to elevate the league. The Independent+3The Sun+3New York Post+3

Fined for Bold Opinions: Officiating Under Fire

Cunningham has openly criticized WNBA referees—twice. The league fined her $500 over a TikTok video mocking officials as “stupid, slow, and useless,” and just this week slapped another $1,500 fine on her for harsh commentary in Show Me Something, calling out inconsistent officiating and minor missed calls as hurting the sport’s credibility. Cunningham seemed unfazed, joking she “knew they’d fine me again” but said fines won’t shut her up. Yardbarker+1New York Post+1

Despite the disciplinary actions, her combative voice hasn’t affected her productivity: the Fever have strung together a five‑game winning streak during Clark’s absence. New York Post

On‑Court Oddities: Sophie & Lexie Hull’s Strange Interaction with Sydney Colson

Viral Moment: The Infamous Sit‑On

Just before a game against the Seattle Storm, an eye‑raising moment took place: during warmups, **Cunningham and teammate Lexie Hull ran up behind veteran Sydney Colson, who was bending down tying her shoelaces—and both sat on her shoulders as if it were perfectly normal. Colson, surprised, sprang up, and fellow teammate Caitlin Clark was seen watching with a “what even is happening?” expression. The video exploded across social media with fans asking the same question. Yardbarker+2EssentiallySports+2Sportskeeda+2

In her Instagram story, Cunningham posted the clip, captioned “She loves us.” Colson later shared it herself, teasing, “Smelled like spoilt milk.” The bizarre stunt—the two sitting on Colson’s back—was both playful and disorienting. Yardbarker+1Sportskeeda+1

Shock Performance: Feats in the Same Game

That same night, Cunningham turned it up on the court: she poured in a season‑high 17 points, hitting 4 of 5 three‑pointers, backed by 5 rebounds and 2 assists, guiding Indiana to a 78‑74 win over Seattle. Yardbarker

Across the two most recent weeks without Clark, Cunningham has averaged a solid 11.7 points per game, showing notable growth and stepping up meaningfully in the offense. The team’s record improved to 17‑12 following the win. Yardbarker+1Yardbarker+1

What the Public Said: Reactions to the Bizarre Behavior

Fans and observers were stunned. One social post read:

“But I’d be wrong if I thought Sophie and Lexie walked down the street and then suddenly quibbled tying their shoes correctly?” suggesting this behavior felt so foreign as to be unbelievable in public life.

That reaction underscores how dissonant the Colson incident felt—even to those familiar with the team’s usual chemistry. EssentiallySportsYardbarker

Deeper Into the Bond: What Fuel’s This Unusual Dynamic?

Genuine Friendship and Locker‑Room Chemistry

Despite the surreal on‑court moment, backstories point to a close‑knit group: Cunningham and Lexie Hull are self‑described best friends, known for offbeat humor, hijinks, and deeply trusting rapport. Colson, Clark, Natasha Howard, and others have all engaged in playful camaraderie on social media: from pranking each other to comforting teammates during personal losses. The overall portrait: a team that loves hanging together. EssentiallySports

Shared Humor & Inside Language

The shared bonding style extends to Cunningham’s playful language—like characterizing their own “love language” as trash‑talk or making edgy jokes. On the podcast, she emphasized that what fans hear is the real them—not the filtered version portrayed by outsiders. That raw authenticity carries over into what you see on‑court. The IndependentPeople.comNew York Post

Individual and Collective Spotlight

Cunningham is finding a social media and cultural footing rivaling Clark’s. With over a million followers on platforms, media deals, brand partnerships (such as the viral “Hot girls eat Arby’s” shirt), her identity as both star athlete and bold media personality is emerging. She’s leaning into the controversy, openness, and humor that attract attention—and viewers—and bringing her teammates along for the ride. The Sun

Summing It Up: A Strange Mix of Humor, Shock, and Athletic Growth

Sophie Cunningham and her Indiana Fever teammates exhibit a complex, strange connection that straddles the line between playful absurdity and unsettling spectacle. From launching an unfiltered podcast to jumping on a fellow player’s back, to delivering clutch performances on game night, they deliver a package that shocks, amuses, and mystifies:

Off‑court, the Show Me Something podcast is blunt, scathing, and unapologetically candid—causing fines, headlines, and heated reactions.

On‑court, the sit‑on‑shoulders prank with Colson confounded casual fans and teammates alike.

In performance, Cunningham steps up when her star teammate is sidelined—scoring at her best and helping push the Fever to victory.

Public reaction ranges from delight and hilarity to genuine puzzlement—and few offer a clear explanation.

The through‑line is authentic, unapologetic, team‑oriented energy: they treat teammates, media, and fans as insiders who can handle their unfiltered bond. But for outsiders? The result is shock, curiosity, and a strange fascination.