According to Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever, she was penalized with a $500 fine by the WNBA for a TikTok video where she criticized certain referees, leading to increased scrutiny on the quality of officiating and the league’s approach towards player expression.
In the TikTok clip, Cunningham records herself singing along to “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter in a hotel room, with lines like: “Foolish, or just too slow? Perhaps it’s all for naught.” She titled the video, “To some referees.
Despite being intended as a joke, the post led to a $500 fine, leaving the basketball player puzzled.
WNBA pro stunned by $500 fine for TikTok criticizing “some refs”
Cunningham posted on X, laughing emojis included, ‘I was fined $500 for this TikTok.’ I’m not sure why this amuses me…it’s just funny, you know? I mean, there are more pressing issues in our league at the moment.
The sentiment in her remark mirrors a rising sense of agitation among the WNBA players regarding officiating decisions. Not long ago, Caitlin Clark, a standout player for the Fever, had to be held back following a tense altercation with an official, and Angel Reese from the Sky voiced her frustration after a difficult loss marked by numerous fouls, expressing, “I’ve had enough of this treatment.
It seems you were issued a $500 fine because of your TikTok post, which left you chuckling. I find myself puzzled as to why that amuses me… Well, I guess it just goes to show that life’s not all doom and gloom for our team at the moment! 😊
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 23, 2025
Reese later added, “It has to be fixed,” pointing to foul disparities and a lack of consistency.
During the All-Star weekend, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged the increasing buzz, suggesting potential enhancements might be forthcoming. In her own words, “Clearly, maintaining consistency is crucial… it’s an aspect that we definitely scrutinize and consider.
Currently, the $500 penalty imposed on Cunningham further intensifies the already heated discussion about officiating and the boundaries of player expression regarding their opinions.
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2025-07-24 19:48