Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham has been fined $500 by the WNBA after posting a TikTok video mocking league referees. The penalty, announced Tuesday, drew attention after Cunningham posted about the fine on X, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
“I got fined $500 for this TikTok,” Cunningham wrote, adding laughing emojis. “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.”
The TikTok clip, which Cunningham shared last week, features her lip-syncing to lyrics from the Sabrina Carpenter song “Manchild” with the caption “@ some referees.”
The audio includes the words: “Stupid. Or is it slow? Maybe, it’s useless.”
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 [2]
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 23, 2025 [3]
The WNBA has not issued a public statement detailing the reason for the fine, but league rules prohibit public criticism of officials or the league via social media or during media appearances.
This is not Cunningham’s first disciplinary issue this season. Last month, she was fined for her role in an altercation [4] during a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever.
BREAKING – The WNBA has decided to fine Sophie Cunningham for standing up for Caitlin Clark, who was thrown to the ground and had her eye poked out during last night’s game, while none of the players who attacked Clark were fined. pic.twitter.com/k8Ev46GfiA [5]
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) June 19, 2025 [6]
That incident occurred after Fever rookie Caitlin Clark [7] was struck in the eye by Sun guard Jacy Sheldon. Cunningham responded on the court and later criticized the officials during a postgame interview.
“During that, it was just part of the game. I think the refs had a lot to do with that,” Cunningham said following the incident.
“It was a build-up for a couple [of] years now of them just not protecting the star player of the WNBA. At the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates. That’s what I do.”
Sophie Cunningham says she had to wreck a chick because the WNBA hadn’t been willing to protect Caitlin Clark for two years. Love this: pic.twitter.com/FfkWMXlRFa [8]
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 21, 2025 [9]
The WNBA has faced increased scrutiny this season over its handling of physical play and officiating, especially in relation to the treatment of Caitlin Clark, the former Iowa star who has drawn widespread attention in her first season in the league.
Several players and coaches have voiced concern that Clark has not received adequate protection from referees.
Cunningham’s recent social media post and fine have added to a growing conversation about league enforcement priorities and transparency in disciplinary decisions.
The Indiana Fever have not commented on the fine or the TikTok post.