SI Swimsuit Issue Latest Opportunity For Napheesa Collier, Sophie Cunningham

With the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement now complete, the W’s players continue to expand their presence far beyond the hardwood. Today’s WNBA stars are not just athletes, they’re brands, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures stepping into spaces historically dominated by others.

The latest example comes from the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which will feature WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Sophie Cunningham, plus track and field standout Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, in its 2026 edition.

The athletes recently made their way down to Fort Myers, Florida, where they were photographed at the South Seas Resort on Captiva Island. The iconic magazine is set to be released in May.

Napheesa Collier, Sophie Cunningham and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden are set to be on SI Swimsuit 2026 Athlete Shoot.

: @SI_Swimsuit pic.twitter.com/zzYfh6QBeW

— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) April 8, 2026

What This Means

For WNBA players, these types of opportunities are part of a growing trend where women athletes are becoming multi-dimensional brands beyond their sport. While the CBA has helped push financial progress, these opportunities highlight the W’s growing visibility, which will lead to more revenue and opportunities off the court.

Cunningham captured that mindset best in the behind-the-scenes footage with Sports Illustrated,

“I truly think, go kick ass out on the court and then go kick ass out in the real world being a woman who is strong, who is powerful and has the mindset that she can do anything.”

WNBA players are building wide-reaching brands that resonate in fashion, media, and business.

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The Bigger Picture

Women across sports are leveraging increased visibility, social media influence, and evolving league structures to create opportunities that extend well beyond competition. Opportunites such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue are no longer just about aesthetics; they are about ownership, empowerment, and expanding what success looks like for women in sports.

These doors for new opportunities will continue to open, and for the women athletes what’s transpiring offers hope, aspiration and creating positive role models for the young women who look up to them.