Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is reportedly set to release her own signature Adidas sneaker, the Crazy Energy Sophie Cunningham PE, on July 24. The shoe will retail for $120, according to Sole Retriever.
This development comes amid discussion about Cunningham's marketability. While some have questioned the decision given her career scoring average of 8 points per game, others point to her significant social media presence, with 2 million followers on Instagram, and her recent viral moment. A meme featuring Cunningham pointing at Phoenix Mercury player DeWanna Bonner gained widespread internet traction.
Adidas appears to be capitalizing on Cunningham's popularity, recognizing her commercial appeal even if her statistics do not place her among basketball's all-time greats. The report suggests that while sports can be a meritocracy, business decisions often prioritize profitability. This contrasts with the perceived marketing approach towards Cunningham's teammate, Caitlin Clark, who reportedly combines on-court success with broad popularity, yet the WNBA's engagement with her marketability is still being debated.