Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is refusing to back down after being fined $500 by the WNBA for a TikTok video mocking the league’s referees. The fine, issued in early August 2025, has sparked more conversation about the ongoing frustration with officiating in the WNBA.
Cunningham Responds to League Fine and Criticizes Officiating
Cunningham shared the league’s fine with her followers on X, displaying a mix of humor and disbelief about the situation. She said,
“I got fined $500 for this TikTok,”
followed by,
“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 TikTok video that led to the fine attracted 1.8 million views, becoming one of her most popular posts in recent weeks.
On her podcast, Show Me Something, Cunningham elaborated on her views about the referees’ inconsistencies. She admitted,
“If I was a ref, I know I would mess up all the time,”
but pressed on, questioning,
“But when it is a simple call right in front of your face multiple times, what are you doing? What are you doing?”
She stressed that her frustration stems from inconsistent officiating, emphasizing,
“They’re just so inconsistent. That’s my thing.”
The Fever star also called out what she sees as unfair treatment during games, saying,
“Like, if you’re on the other team and you’re going to be fining the [expletive] out of me, cool. But let me do it to you. Yeah. You know what I mean?”
Her candid comments point to a broader dissatisfaction among players regarding how referees manage fouls and penalties.
League-Wide Frustration Among Players and Fans
Cunningham believes her views are widely shared across the league by players and fans alike. She remarked,
“I think that players across the league and new fans across the country, everyone’s like, ‘What is going on with refs?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’ … And you fining me $500 is not going to do [expletive].”
This statement highlights not only her defiance toward the fine but also the growing anxiety surrounding officiating standards in the WNBA.
Broader Implications for the WNBA and Cunningham’s Future
With Sophie Cunningham’s rising profile in the league, her public criticism of referees may attract more scrutiny from WNBA leadership, possibly including commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The league traditionally frowns upon players voicing such confrontations openly, especially when criticisms come from respected veterans like Cunningham, who is in her seventh season.
This ongoing tension could lead to additional penalties or fines before the season concludes. As the league attempts to maintain its image and credibility, how it handles this controversy may influence future player-league relations and the broader conversation about officiating quality. Cunningham’s comments underline a significant issue that many are watching closely as the WNBA season progresses.