Sophie Cunningham, guard for the Indiana Fever, has publicly criticized WNBA referees for inconsistent calls during games, expressing her frustration on multiple occasions. Her dissatisfaction with officiating has become a recurring topic as she continues to speak out about perceived unfair treatment by WNBA refs.

Recently, Cunningham revisited these concerns in an interview on the Show Me Something podcast, emphasizing her willingness to openly call out referees when she feels their performance is lacking.

Cunningham Candidly Addresses Her Outspoken Nature on Officiating

During the podcast, Sophie Cunningham acknowledged that she does not hesitate to share her true feelings, particularly about the referees. She noted that her outspoken stance sets her apart from other players, as she believes few in the league publicly voice such criticisms about officiating.

“I’m really the only one who publicly is a massive s**tter,” Cunningham said.

“My thing is like, I’m not even going to lie to you, I am someone who says what everyone else is thinking or talking about, not with just the refs. … I want people to hear what I just said. I’m the only one, but if you ask our league, they feel the same exact way.”

Fine Follows Cunningham’s Viral TikTok Criticism of Refereeing

Cunningham’s vocal frustrations extended to social media in July when she posted a TikTok video expressing her dissatisfaction with WNBA referees. The video featured her dubbing Sabrina Carpenter’s song Manchild, particularly a buildup to the chorus that she used to describe the officials she criticized.

“Stupid. Or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless.”

Following this post, Cunningham was fined $500 by the league, a penalty she found ironically amusing given the seemingly minor nature of her offense compared to broader league issues.

“I got fined $500 for this TikTok,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know why this is funny to me – like ok you got it bud! Because there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now.”

Maintaining Focus Despite Frustrations

Despite growing frustration with officiating, Sophie Cunningham remains committed to her primary goal of helping the Indiana Fever secure a playoff spot in the 2025 WNBA season. Her blunt criticisms have sparked wider conversations about the consistency and fairness of refereeing within the league, highlighting an ongoing debate among players and fans alike.