WNBA

Sophie Cunningham Fined $500 for Controversial TikTok Criticising Refs

Brandon Ellis

The Indiana Fever are going through a tough time currently without star Caitlin Clark, but Sophie Cunningham is also a little bit lighter in the wallet as the league fined her $500 for a TikTok criticizing the Refs. Cunningham has a popular TikTok account with a lot of followers, and she wanted to capitalize on the “Manchild” trend influenced by the Sabrina Carpenter song by the same name, but the material she decided to have in that video was a no-no according to the league, hence the fine. Here’s more on the situation. 

The Refs Have Been Awful this Season in the WNBA

Sophie Cunningham isn’t the first person this season to complain about the referees, but she is the most notable person to complain publicly about the referees, as she has had multiple social media posts about the refs, but the “Manchild” post was probably the funniest way to criticize refs I have seen personally. Here’s Sophie’s tweet on her fine: 

 

But the WNBA has a major issue on its hands with these refs making inconsistent calls that change the balance of games in general. Just look at the Liberty vs Fever game about a month ago with Natasha Cloud fouling Caitlin Clark late, but it wasn’t called. The Refs have let the game become way too physical at times this season, which may be the reason for more injuries, possibly. Basketball is a contact sport, but the amount of contact these refs let these ladies play with so far this season at times is a bit on the end of the contact, including multiple incidents against Cunningham and her Fever teammates. 

 

Final Thoughts

Sophie Cunningham has been outspoken so far in her career, and this TikTok is no different. And the issue of the refs is going to be one that is going to continue, probably until Cathy Engelbert addresses it as WNBA commissioner. Sophie has to be careful down the road a little be when it comes to the criticism or she’ll keep on getting fined by the league. Total Apex Sports is the place to be for more WNBA stories throughout the rest of the season. 

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