Sophie Cunningham Defends Caitlin Clark and Slams WNBA Refs After Fine
In a fiery response to the WNBA’s recent disciplinary actions, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has broken her silence after receiving two fines for her role in a heated altercation during the team’s 88-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun on June 17, 2025. The incident, which saw Cunningham fiercely defend teammate Caitlin Clark, has cemented her as the “enforcer” for the league’s rising star, earning her widespread praise from fans but also a controversial punishment from the WNBA. Cunningham’s bold stance and unapologetic comments have reignited debates about player safety and officiating in the league.
The drama unfolded in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon poked Clark in the eye during a defensive play, followed by a forceful shove from Sun’s Marina Mabrey that sent Clark to the floor. Clark, who finished with 20 points, six assists, and a rebound, pushed back lightly, but the referees’ response—issuing technical fouls to Clark, Mabrey, and Sun’s Tina Charles—did little to quell the escalating tensions. In the final minute, with the Fever leading comfortably, Cunningham took matters into her own hands. She committed a hard foul on Sheldon, wrapping her arms around the guard’s head and pulling her down, sparking a scuffle that led to the ejection of Cunningham, Sheldon, and Sun’s Lindsay Allen.
The WNBA acted swiftly, upgrading Mabrey’s technical to a flagrant-2, which would have warranted an ejection, and fining Cunningham $400 for her flagrant-2 foul, plus an additional undisclosed fine for escalating the brawl. Speaking at a team practice on June 21, Cunningham stood firm, telling reporters, “I’m not focused on the extracurricular activities. It was just part of the game. The refs had a lot to do with that. It’s been a buildup for a couple of years now of them not protecting the star player of the WNBA. At the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates.” Her words echoed sentiments from Fever coach Stephanie White, who criticized the referees’ failure to control the game, saying, “When officials don’t get control, this is what happens.”
Cunningham’s actions have made her a fan favorite, with her TikTok following surging from 400,000 to 1.3 million and her Instagram gaining 350,000 new followers since the incident. Her jersey sold out, and fans on X hailed her as “the hero we all need,” with posts like, “Sophie Cunningham aka The Enforcer” trending. However, not all reactions were positive. A Change.org petition calling for her ban from the WNBA garnered nearly 200 signatures, with critics like WNBA sportscaster Chris Williamson labeling her foul as “bush league” and dangerous. Sun coach Rachid Meziane called the foul “stupid” and “disrespectful,” arguing it was unnecessary given the Fever’s lead.
Despite the fines, Cunningham remains unapologetic, emphasizing her role as Clark’s protector. “Caitlin’s our Taylor Swift, and I’m here to be her Sabrina Carpenter, supporting and doing what the team needs,” she told the Daily Mail. Her martial arts background, including a black belt in Taekwondo earned at age six, has only fueled her reputation as Clark’s “bodyguard.” As the Fever (6-6) prepare for the Commissioner’s Cup final, Cunningham’s fierce loyalty has solidified her as a leader, but her punishment raises questions about whether the WNBA will address ongoing concerns over officiating and player protection.
