WNBA free agent Sophie Cunningham may be sitting out games while her MCL heals, but she is absolutely not sitting out the offseason spotlight. The Indiana Fever guard has been dropping bold bikini content all winter — and honestly, the internet cannot stop talking about it.
Whether she's rocking a teeny string bikini with a black cowboy hat, going viral in a SKIMS photoshoot, or casually oversharing her weight stats in a blue bikini video, Cunningham is having one of the most talked-about offseasons in the WNBA. No games needed.
Photo via The Blast
The MCL Didn't Stop Her
Cunningham tore her right MCL in August 2025 after Connecticut Sun's Bria Hartley accidentally fell into her leg. It was a brutal end to what had been a career-best season — she shot 46.9% from the field and 43.2% from three across 30 games with Indiana.
But if you follow her on Instagram, you'd never know she's in recovery mode. In early March 2026, Cunningham posted a pair of Instagram story videos while wearing a blue bikini — casually discussing the everyday challenges of being 6'1" (ducking pool umbrellas, bumping into things that shorter people walk right under) while looking absolutely stunning. Classic Cunningham energy: painfully relatable and effortlessly confident at the same time.
She also revealed she'd cut 16.5 pounds during recovery, dropping to 148.5 lbs, and wants to gain 5 pounds of muscle before the season starts. The girl is doing the work — and making great content while doing it.
The Cowgirl Bikini Era We Didn't Know We Needed
Photo via Sports Illustrated
Earlier in the season, Cunningham dropped what can only be described as the photoshoot of the year: an all-black cowgirl look featuring a barely-there black string bikini, black leather cowboy boots, a black cowboy hat, and a short frilly leather jacket. Gold accessories. Zero apologies. Full send.
The photos were shot for a Yates Buick GMC dealership in Arizona — because only Sophie Cunningham would turn a car dealership promo into a magazine-worthy fashion moment. Her SKIMS photoshoot (celebrating the brand's WNBA partnership) racked up over 36,000 likes. Her "boat boy" search saga had fans building application forms in the comments. She's not just an athlete — she's a whole content creator who also happens to shoot 43% from three.
Cunningham has been vocal about wanting more opportunities in fashion. She's publicly said she wants to be in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and at the rate her social media is growing, she's making a very compelling case.
Get the Look: Bold Black Bikini Energy
Sophie's signature style is unapologetically bold: minimal coverage, maximum confidence, always with an unexpected accessory. Her go-to black bikini aesthetic is completely achievable — and at Audi Swim, you can nail the whole look for under $60.
The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Black ($24.99) is peak Cunningham energy — a triangle top with bow detail and white contrast trim that walks the line between athletic and editorial. Pair it with the Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Black ($24.99) for the full look: thong cut, white contrast edging, bow detail at the hip. Add a cowboy hat from your closet and you're all the way there.
More into her early-March blue bikini vibes? The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Sky Blue ($24.99) and Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Sky Blue ($24.99) are made for exactly that kind of poolside-confessional energy. Same bold attitude, different color.
For a deep dive on styling a bold black bikini for every occasion, check out our Black Bikini Style Guide 2026. And if you're figuring out which thong cut fits your body best, our Thong Bikini Fit Guide has you covered.
Why Sophie Cunningham Matters
Cunningham is doing something genuinely cool: showing that athletes can be competitive, silly, stylish, and completely unbothered — all at once. She's 6'1", she tears her MCL, she comes back posting bikini content and laughing about bumping her head on pool umbrellas. She's not performing confidence. She's just living it.
The WNBA's free agency situation is still in flux while the league and players' union negotiate a new CBA, but wherever Sophie lands for 2026, her offseason already made her one of the most-talked-about players in the sport. Not bad for someone who technically hasn't played a game yet this year.
Put on a Bow Babe set, grab a cowboy hat, and channel your inner Sophie Cunningham. Confidence is always in season.
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