Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham fined $500 for a TikTok post criticizing referees
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has recently found herself in hot water after being fined $500 for a TikTok post criticizing the WNBA’s referees. In the now-deleted TikTok video, Cunningham can be seen lip-synching to song lyrics that include the words, “Stupid. Or is it, slow? Or maybe, useless?” with the caption “@ some refs” overlaid on the screen.
The video, which was posted on July 18, quickly went viral and amassed over 1.3 million views before being taken down. Cunningham took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the fine, jokingly stating, “I got fined $500 for this TikTok… idk why this is funny to me… like ok you got it bud! Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now.”
The issue of officiating has been a contentious one in the WNBA this season, with many players and coaches expressing frustration over inconsistent calls. The Indiana Fever, in particular, have been at the center of several controversial calls involving star player Caitlin Clark, Cunningham’s teammate.
Head coach Stephanie White voiced her concerns about the officiating last month, stating, “Everybody’s getting better — except the officials. So we got to find a way to remedy it. I mean, you’ve heard every coach talk about it, so I don’t know what the answer is.”
Cunningham has also made headlines for her role as Clark’s protector on the court. In a recent game against the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham was ejected after a physical altercation with Sun player Jacy Sheldon, who had been involved in a scuffle with Clark earlier in the game.
The fine imposed on Cunningham serves as a reminder of the league’s strict policies regarding player conduct on social media. While the guard may have intended the TikTok as light-hearted commentary, it ultimately landed her in hot water with the league.
As the WNBA continues to address concerns surrounding officiating, it remains to be seen how players like Cunningham will navigate the fine line between expressing their opinions and adhering to league regulations.
