Sophie Cunningham is one of the most forward-facing players in the league, and that has led to controversies, both within and beyond her control. However, a recent situation involving her online imposters drew a stern warning from the Fever guard, involving the FBI.

Speaking in the latest episode of the Show Me Something podcast, which Cunningham hosts alongside West Wilson, imposters drove the situation.

“We finished the day, and we were at the hotel bar getting beers,” Wilson said. “And I was like, ‘Where’s Sophie?’ And someone was like, ‘Oh, she’s talking to the FBI in one of the meeting rooms.’ And I was like, ‘What the f***?'”

Sophie Cunningham detailed past incidents when West actually brought up the fact that “There’s crazy peeps going around impersonating and emailing people, especially those that leave comments or replies, on their podcast.”

“I had an old friend from Missouri,” Cunningham added. “He’s like a doctor now. His 80-year-old client tried to wire me $30,000, thinking they were talking to me. And I’m like, this is not me.” There are even incidents where “two or three people left their families, thinking they’re about to marry a certain Sophie Cunningham.”

Cunningham feels particularly troubled by this situation, especially because many people who might have fallen for these scams did so under the illusion of the appreciation they have for her, their favorite star.

As a result, she gave an important disclaimer: “If you think that I’m ever asking for money, or pictures of your feet, or anything, it is not me. It is not me.” As she further explained, “I would never ask anything from people. I just want people to have a good time and a good vibe. But I’m never going to ask for stuff.”

Cunningham’s warning reminds fans to verify accounts, no matter how convincing they may seem.

Sophie Cunningham Acknowledges Fever Fans’ Nationwide Support and Wants to Turn Gainbridge Into a Fortress

The Indiana Fever currently has one of the largest fan bases in the WNBA. And it is one whose impact and presence are not limited to its home ground, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, alone. As Sophie Cunningham said, “With the Fever everywhere we go, we have just as many fans as where we’re going.”

Cunningham definitely acknowledges this level of support that they enjoy and appreciates it. As she said, “They’re coming out. They’re spending a lot of money. They’re excited to be there. They are a great six-man team for us.”

And for Cunningham, the fact that these fans give the team this level of support makes her passionate about winning, especially on their home court. As she said, “And so, I feel I’m someone who’s very passionate about protecting homecourt advantage.”

What Cunningham wants is to make Gainbridge a fortress that teams will find extremely difficult to win. As she said, “I just want Gainbridge to be one of the hardest places to play when people have to come to Indianapolis.” So far, the team has played four of its first five games at Gainbridge, with its only away fixture against the Los Angeles Sparks.

They have, however, won only two of those four home games, while also winning against the Sparks to make it three wins overall. That’s a record they would have to improve on if they are truly going to make Gainbridge a fortress.

Their next game against the Golden State Valkyries also takes place at Gainbridge. And considering the atmosphere Fever fans consistently create, it will be another opportunity for the team to begin building the kind of intimidating home-court identity Cunningham clearly wants.