The WNBA has issued a formal warning and an $8,000 fine to Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham following an explosive moment of on-court misconduct that has quickly gone viral.
According to league sources, Cunningham shouted “f* you**” three times directly at a referee after officials failed to call fouls during a sequence of aggressive plays involving rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The fiery incident took place during the Fever’s most recent game, which has already been the subject of intense scrutiny among fans, commentators, and former players.
🔥 The Incident
The altercation began late in the second quarter when Fever rookie Caitlin Clark was first poked in the eye by Jacy Sheldon, followed shortly after by a forceful shove from Marina Mabrey. Both actions occurred without whistles from the officiating crew, igniting visible frustration on the Fever bench.
As Clark winced and stumbled away from the contact, Sophie Cunningham reportedly stormed toward the officials, unleashing a profane tirade in front of fans and TV cameras.
“She was defending her teammate, but she definitely crossed a line,” one league source said. “It was emotional — but the language was direct, repeated, and aimed at an official.”
💬 WNBA Statement
In a press release issued Thursday morning, the league stated:
“The WNBA has fined Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham $8,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and verbal abuse of an official during the second quarter of last night’s game. Ms. Cunningham has also been issued a formal warning regarding future conduct.”
The league added that while “passion and advocacy for teammates are part of the game,” personal attacks on officials will not be tolerated.
🏀 Player & Fan Reactions
Cunningham has not yet commented publicly, but several players across the league weighed in on social media — some defending her loyalty, others stressing the need for composure.
Fans of Caitlin Clark and the Fever, however, largely rallied behind Cunningham’s response.
“At least someone is standing up for Caitlin,” one fan posted.
“She said what we’re all thinking,” added another.
Meanwhile, the officiating in Fever games has come under mounting criticism from fans who feel Clark has been repeatedly targeted or ignored by referees.
👀 What’s Next?
The WNBA has confirmed that the play involving Jacy Sheldon’s eye poke and Marina Mabrey’s shove are under review, but has not yet announced any disciplinary action against either player.
Cunningham is expected to play in the Fever’s next game, but all eyes will be on how the league handles future physical play involving Caitlin Clark — and whether referees will be quicker to protect high-profile rookies in increasingly heated matchups.
Stay tuned for updates as the story develops and tensions continue to rise in a fiercely competitive WNBA season.
News
A humble maid who had worked for years in the service of a powerful billionaire family was suddenly accused of stealing a priceless jewel
A humble maid who had worked for years in the service of a powerful multi-millionaire family was suddenly accused of…
I lay motionless in my hospital bed when I heard my husband whisper, “When she’s gone, it will all be OURS.” The woman beside him chuckled softly. “I can’t wait, darling.” My heart was pounding, but my body wouldn’t respond. I wanted to move, open my eyes, say something… and I couldn’t. Then the nurse froze, looked straight at them both, and said firmly, “She can hear everything you’re saying.” In that instant, I knew this hadn’t been an accident… and that I had to survive to bring the truth to light.
I lay motionless in the hospital bed, my body numb, my mind more awake than ever. The doctors said it…
An hour before the ceremony, I overheard my fiancé whisper to his mother, “I don’t care about her, I just want her money.” I wiped away my tears, walked down the aisle, and instead of saying “I do,” I said something that made my mother-in-law clutch her chest right there in the middle of the room…
An hour before the ceremony, the hotel was filled with white flowers and nervous murmurs. I, Lucía Herrera , was already wearing…
My abusive husband forced me, seven months pregnant, to shower under the outdoor tap in the freezing cold. He was sure his cruelty would go unnoticed. But he didn’t know my father is a multimillionaire… and the punishment was only just beginning.
My name is Lucía Álvarez , and when it all happened, I was seven months pregnant. I lived in a cold northern…
I had just landed, suitcase still in hand, when I froze. There he was, my ex-husband, embracing his secretary as if they were his own. Then our eyes met. “You?” he whispered, paling and taking a step back, as if the ground had vanished beneath his feet. I didn’t scream. I didn’t run. I just smiled. Because in the middle of that crowded airport, he understood something far worse than being caught: I was no longer the woman he had left behind.
I had barely landed at Barajas Airport. I was still holding my suitcase in my right hand when I froze…
I should have known something was wrong when my mother-in-law hugged me a little too tightly before my flight. At security, the alarms started blaring, and suddenly she yelled, “That’s not your suitcase!” I froze as the agents opened the luggage. Inside were precious stones I’d never seen before. My sister-in-law gasped. My heart didn’t race. Because just minutes before, we’d silently swapped suitcases… and that scream told me everything I needed to know.
I should have known something was wrong when my mother-in-law, Carmen Rivas , hugged me too tightly before my flight. It wasn’t…
End of content
No more pages to load
