Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was fined $1,500 by the WNBA after remarks she made during the debut episode of her new podcast, Show Me Something, which launched on July 30. Cunningham revealed the fine while filming the second episode, explaining the league disciplined her for comments that drew attention.
The WNBA’s disciplinary action came shortly after Cunningham’s candid discussion regarding referees and league matters on the podcast. She described the notification process, saying,
“Dude, they fined me $1,500. I was like what? This is just the beginning!”
Details Behind the Fine and League’s Response
Cunningham shared further insight on how the WNBA handled the situation, noting that the league contacted her team’s general manager directly. She explained,
“What happens is [the WNBA] emails our GM and she pulls me aside… and she just smiled and goes ‘Hey, they’re gonna fine you again.’ I even told them–I credited them that their job was hard! I did say that and I said that I would not be good at it. I did say that, like, look at the whole picture? What are we doing?”
This sequence of events highlights Cunningham’s strained relationship with the league regarding her public criticism. The $1,500 penalty followed a previous $500 fine imposed in late July linked to a TikTok video where she expressed frustrations about officiating in the WNBA.
Contentious Comments on Podcast Sparked the Fine
On the initial podcast episode, Cunningham fervently defended her Fever teammate Caitlin Clark as the undisputed face of the WNBA, vehemently criticizing those who disagreed. She used strong language in the debate, calling dissenting opinions “Dumb as f—.” These remarks, alongside her earlier critiques of referees, contributed to the WNBA’s disciplinary decision.
Context of Cunningham’s Public Statements and Impact on WNBA Relations
The fines reflect ongoing tensions between Sophie Cunningham and the WNBA, as the league enforces policies regarding player conduct and public comments. Cunningham’s outspoken approach on platforms like her podcast and social media has led to repeated scrutiny, with the league signaling a firm stance on her public criticisms.
Her frustrations and fines underscore the challenge players face in navigating candid speech while complying with league rules, which may impact how athletes balance personal expression with professional expectations moving forward.