WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham supports Caitlin Clark on TikTok, faces penalty.

A WNBA player who has recently risen to a level of everyday recognition was recently fined $500 for criticizing referees in a TikTok video. If you’re even slightly familiar with the WNBA, you may have heard of Sophie Cunningham. Having played for the Phoenix Mercury for six years before being traded to the Indiana Fever, she has become well-loved by WNBA fans for her support of teammate Caitlin Clark, both on and off the court. In a notable moment, Cunningham intervened during a game against the Connecticut Sun, asserting her protective instincts when a player poked Clark in the eye. This incident gained millions of views on social media, leading to a surge in the sale of her jerseys and attracting over a million followers on Instagram and TikTok.

Fans of the Fever have expressed concerns about the referees being overly strict with Clark, and Cunningham has been vocal in her defense. She believes that the league’s referees do not provide adequate protection for Clark, whom she refers to as “the star player of the WNBA.”

In a recent TikTok video, which garnered significant attention, Cunningham expressed her thoughts in a lighthearted manner that resonated with many fans. The video, which features a familiar Sabrina Carpenter song, shows her in a matching camo set with the caption “@ some refs.” It has accumulated 1.3 million views, with a majority of comments in support of Cunningham, expressing sentiments like “We will pay your fine” and praising her advocacy for Clark’s protection.

In a post on X, Cunningham shared her reaction to the fine: “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.”

Amidst this, Cunningham is also navigating other discussions surrounding her, including political labels and the WNBA’s upcoming expansion plans. She recently shared her thoughts on the league’s intention to introduce new teams in cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, humorously questioning the level of excitement surrounding the Detroit inclusion.