Sophie Cunningham’s mystery ‘MAGA boyfriend’ comes out of the shadows

• Viral photographs show Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham celebrating her 30th birthday alongside a new companion.

• Media reports identify the man as Frank Adams, head athletic trainer for Grand Canyon University men’s basketball.

• The pair likely connected during their overlapping professional tenures in Phoenix with the Suns and Mercury.

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has sparked widespread relationship speculation after viral photographs surfaced showing her enjoying an intimate moment during a boat outing. Celebrating her 30th birthday during the WNBA break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, the popular guard was pictured embracing a shirtless man on the water while wearing a green and yellow bikini. The images quickly circulated across social media platforms and sports culture outlets, drawing intense interest from fans eager to learn the identity of her companion.

Sophie Cunningham revealed her new boyfriend. pic.twitter.com/wfHZOLN1dt

— Fever Updates (@FeverUpdate) September 11, 2026

Identifying the man behind the viral boat photos

Reports from sports media outlets swiftly identified the man in the photographs as Frank Adams, a seasoned sports medicine professional. Adams currently serves as the head athletic trainer for the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball program in Arizona. His extensive professional background includes a six year tenure as an assistant athletic trainer for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, where he managed daily player care and individual recovery programs, as well as prior leadership of the medical staff for the G League’s Iowa Wolves.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Rich Macero (@macerorich)

A shared professional history in the Valley of the Sun

The connection between Cunningham and Adams appears rooted in their overlapping time working within the Phoenix professional sports landscape. Cunningham spent the first six years of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Indiana Fever in February 2025. Because the Suns and Mercury shared organizational resources and training facilities in Phoenix, the pair had ample opportunity to cross paths professionally while working at the highest levels of American basketball.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Rich Macero (@macerorich)

Media speculation and private personal lives

Neither Cunningham nor Adams has officially posted the images on their verified social media accounts, nor have they publicly confirmed a romantic relationship. The sudden attention marks the first major public dating rumor involving Cunningham since her college relationship with former Missouri student athlete Jakob Neidig between 2019 and 2020. While online commentary continues to grow surrounding the pictures, both figures have chosen to remain quiet regarding the true context of their boat outing.

Navigating stardom on and off the WNBA court

The viral reaction to Cunningham’s birthday celebration underscores her standing as one of the most visible and widely discussed personalities in modern women’s basketball. Her ability to command public interest extends well beyond her on court contributions for the Fever, making her a constant focal point for sports and lifestyle media alike. As the competitive schedule prepares to resume, Cunningham continues to navigate the intense public scrutiny that accompanies her rising profile both inside and outside the sport.

Cover photos from: @sophie_cham