Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has sparked headlines and debates after being fined $500 by the WNBA for a TikTok video that took a playful jab at the league’s referees. The 28-year-old posted the video on July 18, 2025, which quickly went viral, amassing 1.2 million views. In the clip, filmed in what appears to be a hotel room, Cunningham lip-syncs to a soundbite from Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Manchild,” with the lyrics, “Stupid, or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless.” She points around the room with each adjective, overlaying the caption “@ some refs” to make her target clear.
On July 23, 2025, Cunningham took to X to share her reaction to the fine, writing, “I got fined $500 for this TikTok 🤣🤣 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.”
Her sarcastic tone and suggestion that the WNBA has bigger issues to address have fueled discussions about player expression, league priorities, and the ongoing tensions surrounding officiating in the WNBA.
Sophie Cunningham on X (formerly Twitter): “I got fined $500 for this TikTok 🤣🤣 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 pic.twitter.com/ELAlguHhMQ / X”
I got fined $500 for this TikTok 🤣🤣 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 pic.twitter.com/ELAlguHhMQ
Cunningham’s TikTok is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative of frustration among WNBA players, particularly those on the Indiana Fever, regarding the league’s officiating. The Fever, led by superstar Caitlin Clark, have frequently voiced concerns about inconsistent calls and physical play that they feel goes unpunished. Earlier this season, Fever head coach Stephanie White was fined for criticizing referees, and Cunningham herself has been vocal about specific incidents. For example, during a game against the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham was elbowed in the head by Sun center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, but no foul was called. She later shared a clip of the incident on X, captioning it, “They said I flopped. el oh el.”
This latest fine comes on the heels of Cunningham being penalized twice for a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon during another heated Fever-Sun matchup, which escalated into a scuffle involving multiple players. These incidents highlight Cunningham’s reputation as the Fever’s “enforcer,” a role she embraces while defending teammates like Clark, who often face aggressive defensive tactics.
The fine has ignited a firestorm of support for Cunningham on social media, with fans rallying behind her and questioning the WNBA’s priorities. One X user wrote, “Can I pay this fine for you & then prepay another for you so you can do it again?” while another suggested, “Start a GoFundMe and keep them rolling. The refs think y’all play street ball in West Philly…” These reactions reflect a growing sentiment that the league is overly focused on policing player expression rather than addressing deeper issues like officiating consistency or player compensation.
Cunningham’s social media presence has skyrocketed since joining the Fever after six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. Her TikTok following recently surpassed 1 million, boosted by viral moments like her defense of Clark and her candid, unfiltered persona. This influence underscores a shift in the WNBA, where players are leveraging platforms like TikTok to connect with fans and amplify their voices, often independently of the league’s marketing efforts.
The $500 fine, while relatively small compared to Cunningham’s $100,000 salary, has sparked broader conversations about the WNBA’s approach to player autonomy and discipline. With players wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” t-shirts during All-Star Weekend to protest low salaries amid rising franchise values, Cunningham’s fine feels like a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between athletes and league governance. As New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud noted in an ESPN interview, there’s a “fundamental disconnect” between players and referees, with many feeling their concerns go unheard despite pre-season meetings with officials
Cunningham’s fine is unlikely to deter her from speaking out, given her history of unapologetic commentary. Her on-court performance—averaging 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 40% from three—combined with her off-court charisma, has made her a fan favorite and a key figure in the Fever’s push for prominence. As the WNBA navigates labor disputes, officiating controversies, and the growing power of its players, Cunningham’s TikTok saga serves as a reminder of the evolving dynamics in professional sports, where athletes are increasingly unafraid to challenge the status quo.
