Sophie Cunningham Fined $1,500 for Mocking WNBA Officials; Fever Fans Rip Into “Joke League”

The WNBA handed down a $1,500 fine to Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham on Tuesday after she was seen mocking and openly clowning game officials during the Mercury’s recent matchup against the Indiana Fever — a fiery contest that has once again ignited debates about league officiating, player treatment, and sportsmanship standards.

Cunningham’s antics, which went viral within hours of the game, occurred midway through the third quarter after she was called for her third foul. Instead of simply walking away, the outspoken guard sarcastically applauded the referee, made exaggerated hand gestures imitating calls, and mouthed what fans believe was: “Might as well give me a tech too while you’re at it.”

Though she wasn’t assessed a technical during the game, the WNBA’s disciplinary office later reviewed the footage and issued the fine for “publicly and demonstrably showing up game officials.”

A History of Fire and Fines

Known as one of the league’s most fiery and polarizing players, Cunningham has never been shy about expressing herself — and this latest incident adds to a growing list of on-court outbursts that both delight fans and frustrate opponents.

While Phoenix Mercury supporters see her as a gritty, passionate leader, fans from opposing teams — especially Fever faithful — have grown weary of her antics, particularly when they come at the expense of rising stars like Caitlin Clark.

During the same game, Cunningham was involved in several heated moments with Clark, including a hard foul that many argued was borderline flagrant. No flagrant was called at the time, adding fuel to a now-raging firestorm about WNBA officiating bias and protection (or lack thereof) for star players.

Fever Fans Erupt Online

Following the league’s announcement of the fine, Indiana Fever fans took to social media in outrage — not at Cunningham’s punishment, but at what they see as the league’s inconsistent priorities.

“Caitlin Clark gets mauled every night and they stay silent. Sophie mocks a ref and suddenly $1,500 matters?” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“This is a clown show,” another wrote. “You fine players for sarcasm but won’t protect the ones getting thrown around every game. Joke league.”

The hashtag #JokerLeague began trending within hours, with fans demanding better officiating standards and equal enforcement of the rules — regardless of a player’s experience or media presence.

League Response & Looking Ahead

A WNBA spokesperson defended the fine in a brief statement:

“Respect for officials is a core value of the WNBA. While we welcome passion and personality, mocking or undermining the integrity of the game is not acceptable.”

Still, the incident underscores a broader tension in the league: rising media scrutiny, generational clashes between veteran players and high-profile rookies, and the challenge of maintaining fairness in a rapidly growing and evolving sport.

For Cunningham, it’s business as usual. When asked about the fine in practice, she reportedly smiled and said: “That’s pocket change. Let’s move on.”

But for fans, especially in Indiana, the question remains: When will the league finally start protecting its stars — not just its image?