Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham revealed she was fined $500 by the WNBA for posting a TikTok video that criticized league officials. The video featured Cunningham singing along to Sabrina Carpenter’s new single, Manchild, which the league deemed punishable. Cunningham openly reacted to the fine on social media, expressing disbelief given what she sees as larger issues within the league.
Cunningham’s Public Response to the Fine
On her X account, formerly known as Twitter, Cunningham challenged the league’s priorities by pointing out that the $500 fine seemed trivial compared to other concerns. She wrote,
“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.”
This pointed statement highlighted her frustration with the league’s decision to penalize her social media activity.
Previous Disciplinary Actions and Player Advocacy
This is not the first time Cunningham has faced league discipline this season; she has been fined twice before related to a Flagrant 2 foul that sparked an on-court confrontation during the Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun last month. Beyond fines, Cunningham has voiced her opinions on broader league matters, including the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the WNBA players association and league officials. During a recent media availability, she made a clear demand:
“You can just tell [WNBA commissioner] Cathy [Engelbert] to pay us, and then we can have discussions.”
Implications for the WNBA and Next Steps
Cunningham’s public dissent reveals growing tensions between players and league administration, especially during a critical period of negotiations. The fine over her TikTok video may underline how the league monitors player conduct beyond the court, as players increasingly use social media to voice concerns. This incident could lead to further dialogue regarding player expression and league priorities as the Fever guard continues to be a vocal presence in the WNBA.