Sophie Cunningham. Image via: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Sophie Cunningham has found plenty of ways to keep WNBA fans talking, both on and off the court. The Indiana Fever guard recently shared an unexpectedly ambitious idea for her dream business, and it has little to do with basketball. Her plan involves a yacht, endless sunshine, drinks and one of the biggest names in WNBA history, Diana Taurasi.
Sophie Cunningham’s dream business has a Diana Taurasi twist
Cunningham was asked what kind of business she would create if she could team up with another WNBA player. Instead of naming a teammate or choosing something connected to basketball, she went in a much more relaxed direction.Her pick was Taurasi, the legendary former WNBA star who built one of the most decorated careers in women’s basketball. Cunningham’s reason for choosing her potential business partner was refreshingly direct.”If you were going to start a business with another WNBA player, who would it be?””I like that,” she says in response to the question.After taking a moment to consider the idea, Cunningham revealed that she would choose Taurasi and build the business around a yacht.”Because she has the finances,” Cunningham explains.The concept sounds less like a traditional startup and more like a floating vacation for basketball fans. Cunningham imagined spending time on a boat, either on a lake or out at sea, with good weather, drinks and plenty of opportunities to relax.”And then, the business would be being on a yacht, on a boat, on a lake or on the ocean, drinks flowing, you’re getting a nice tan. But, definitely, budget, not mine.”The comment captures Cunningham’s playful personality. Rather than pitching a serious investment plan, she leaned into the fun of imagining what life could look like if money and logistics were not a concern.The interviewer then compared the concept to the reality series “Below Deck,” which follows crews working aboard luxury yachts.”You guys can start your own ‘Below Deck?'””I like that,” she says, laughing. “Absolutely.”
Sophie Cunningham’s growing profile beyond basketball
While a WNBA yacht venture with Taurasi remains a fantasy for now, Cunningham’s growing popularity has opened plenty of doors away from basketball.The Fever guard recently passed 4 million followers on Instagram, giving her an enormous platform beyond the court. That kind of reach can make athletes attractive partners for consumer brands, particularly when their personalities connect with fans.Cunningham has already stepped into that space through a partnership with Once Upon a Coconut, a coconut water brand. The collaboration fits naturally with her athletic career and public image, especially as hydration remains an important part of an athlete’s daily routine.Her business interests may be developing, but the yacht idea stands out for a different reason. It shows the lighter side of Cunningham and her ability to turn a simple interview question into an entertaining vision.Whether it ever becomes reality is another matter. For now, the idea of Cunningham and Taurasi hosting fans on a luxury yacht is a fun glimpse at what might happen when two WNBA personalities decide to take their talents offshore.