WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham Fined for Referee TikTok, Cites ‘Bigger Issues’

The WNBA has levied a $500 fine against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after her TikTok mocking league officiating went viral, escalating tensions between players and referees during a season plagued by contentious calls. Cunningham’s July 23 social media post revealed the penalty, sparking outrage from fans who called the punishment tone-deaf amid ongoing scrutiny of officiating standards.

Cunningham’s Provocative TikTok Draws League Sanctions

In the since-deleted video, viewed 1.4 million times, Cunningham lip-synced Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” while text overlay read “@ some refs” as she mouthed lyrics: “Stupid… Or is it slow?… Maybe it’s useless?” The league deemed this a public criticism violating conduct policies. Cunningham tweeted the fine notice with sardonic commentary: “I got fined $500 for this TikTok… like ok 👍 you got it bud! Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now.” The 28-year-old, who joined Indiana in 2025 after six seasons with Phoenix, later removed the original clip but preserved her defiant response tweet.

WNBA Officiating Under Fire Amid High-Profile Incidents

This sanction intensifies focus on a season where referees have repeatedly dominated headlines:

• Caitlin Clark’s Confrontation: Cunningham’s Fever teammate required physical restraint during a heated exchange with officials earlier this month.
• Angel Reese’s “Diabolical” Claim: Chicago Sky’s rookie star blasted referees after a July game featuring a 23-2 free-throw disparity, calling standards “unacceptable” in post-game remarks documented by ESPN (July 18, 2025).
  League data shows technical fouls against players rose 37% year-over-year through mid-July, per WNBA game logs. Veteran coach Becky Hammon acknowledged tensions in a July 15 press conference: “When consistency lacks, frustration boils over.”

Fan Fury: “Where’s the GoFundMe?”

Supporters flooded social media, pledging to cover Cunningham’s fine while lambasting the league’s priorities:

“I’ll chip in on fines. Keep being yourself,” wrote one fan.
“This is actually the money they use to pay the refs,” joked another.
“The endless WNBA war on people bringing attention while protecting bad officiating amazes me,” noted a third critic.
Some demanded structural changes, with one viral reply urging Cunningham and Clark to “start a new league” given their drawing power. The Daily Dot confirmed outreach to Cunningham for additional comment.

This clash underscores a pivotal moment for the WNBA: as record viewership amplifies player voices, the league faces mounting pressure to address officiating transparency or risk alienating the stars driving its growth. Fans remain poised to financially back players challenging the status quo—proving viral dissent isn’t just cheap talk, but a $500 catalyst for change.

Must Know

Why was Sophie Cunningham fined?
The WNBA penalized Cunningham $500 for publicly criticizing officials via a TikTok video viewed 1.4 million times. The league prohibits players from disparaging referees on social media under its conduct policy.

How did fans react to the fine?
Supporters offered to crowdfund the penalty, mocking the league’s priorities amid ongoing officiating controversies. Many cited recent incidents involving Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as evidence of systemic issues.

What did Cunningham’s TikTok show?
She lip-synced Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” with lyrics questioning intelligence and usefulness while tagging referees. The clip’s text overlay read “@ some refs,” implying criticism of officiating.

How has WNBA officiating impacted this season?
Technical fouls against players have surged 37% year-over-year. High-profile conflicts, including Angel Reese’s “diabolical” free-throw disparity remarks and Caitlin Clark’s referee confrontations, dominate coverage.

Has the WNBA commented on referee controversies?
No public statement addressed Cunningham’s fine or broader concerns. The league’s 2023 Officiating Report acknowledged “consistency challenges” but cited 94% call accuracy.

What’s Cunningham’s history with referee disputes?
The 6’1″ guard received seven technical fouls across six seasons with Phoenix prior to joining Indiana. Her physical play style frequently draws officiating attention.