Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has drawn attention and a $500 fine from the WNBA after posting a TikTok video perceived as criticizing league officials. The clip, viewed over 1.3 million times, shows Cunningham lip-syncing to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Please Please Please,” with lyrics altered to include phrases like “Stupid! Or is it… slow? Maybe it’s… useless?” Text overlay reading “@ some refs” accompanies the video, which Cunningham filmed wearing a camouflage outfit. Fans flooded the comments with support, with one user writing, “We will pay your fine,” referencing her vocal defense of teammate Caitlin Clark.
The penalty adds to Cunningham’s rising profile as a polarizing figure in women’s basketball. Acquired by the Fever this season after six years with the Phoenix Mercury, the 27-year-old has become known for fiercely advocating for Clark, this year’s top WNBA draft pick. During a June game against the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham’s shove of Jacy Sheldon—who had accidentally poked Clark in the eye—went viral, amplifying her reputation as Clark’s on-court protector. The incident fueled Cunningham’s social media growth, pushing her past 1 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok, while her jersey sales spiked.
Cunningham has repeatedly accused referees of failing to protect Clark from excessive physical play, calling her “the star player of the WNBA” in past interviews. The sentiment resonates with many Fever supporters, who argue officials disproportionately scrutinize the rookie phenom. Responding to the fine on X, Cunningham wrote sarcastically, “Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
The TikTok controversy coincides with other debates surrounding Cunningham. Critics have dubbed her “MAGA Barbie” online due to perceived conservative political leanings, though she has not publicly addressed the nickname. Separately, her remarks about the WNBA’s expansion plans drew backlash after she questioned enthusiasm for new teams in Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. “I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit,” she said during a press availability, prompting criticism from fans in those markets.
The league has not commented on whether Cunningham’s fine relates solely to the TikTok video or broader conduct. Under the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, players can be penalized for public criticism of officials. As debates over referee consistency and player safety intensify, Cunningham’s blend of advocacy, viral moments, and unfiltered commentary continues to position her at the center of the league’s evolving cultural narrative.
