• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

WNBA Hits Sophie Cunningham With Fine Over Ref Criticism—Again

 Players, coaches, and fans have all complained about the WNBA’s officiating, an issue that predates this season.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indiana Fever standout Sophie Cunningham has always been one of the most outspoken players in the WNBA, but her newfound fame as the enforcer of Caitlin Clark has given her a much bigger spotlight. It led to a massive boost in followers (1.6 million on TikTok, 1.2 million on Instagram) and landed her a podcast, which she launched last week. 

The mix of Cunningham’s unfiltered thoughts and massive following, however, has led to two separate fines from the WNBA over the last few weeks.

Cunningham revealed Tuesday on the second episode of her podcast Show Me Something that she received a $1,500 fine from the WNBA for criticizing referees. The fine was due to comments she made on the premiere episode of her podcast, which launched last Wednesday.

“If I was a ref, I know I would mess up all the time. I’m not saying that your job is easy—but when it is a simple call right in front of your face multiple times, what are you doing?” Cunningham said. She also said some WNBA referees are “inconsistent” with their calls.

The Fever guard revealed on July 23 that she received a $500 fine for a TikTok she posted a week earlier that also took a shot at WNBA referees. In the post, Cunningham was lip-syncing to a portion of the song “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter with the lyrics “Stupid or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless?” with text on the screen that read “@ some refs.”

In the first podcast episode, Cunningham said the WNBA fines “are a joke” and even predicted she was going to get fined again.

“You fining me $500 is not going to do shit. … And then I’ll get fined for that, and then I’ll get fined for this, and the fines will continue,” the six-year pro said. 

WNBA’s Referee Problem

While Cunningham has been one of the most consistent public critics of WNBA referees, she’s far from the only detractor. Some examples include Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who said last month that league officiating has to be fixed.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve criticized referees after the 2024 WNBA Finals, saying the championship was “stolen” from her team.

At the WNBA All-Star Game in June, commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed a question on the league’s referees at a press conference, saying they “hear the concerns.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 26, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a three-point shot in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Frost Bank Center.

NBA Betting Scandals Overshadow Wembanyama’s Superstar Leap

Wembanyama is following the path of Shohei Ohtani in MLB.
May 20, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Sparks co-owner Todd Boehly watches during game three of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
exclusive

Mark Walter’s Lakers Buy Includes Dodgers Co-Owner Todd Boehly

Jeanie Buss will retain a roughly 15% stake and remain team governor.

Sports Equinox 2025 Shows How Fragmented Sports TV Has Become

Multiple streaming services are needed to watch Monday’s games.
Oct 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) celebrates with guard Cade Cunningham (2) after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

‘On the Bench’ Analysts Aim to Give NBA Viewers Courtside Access

Austin Rivers and Robbie Hummel will deliver reports straight from the bench.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Oct 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The 2025 World Series logo on the field at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger Stadium Games Could Push MLB Payouts to Record Highs

The Dodgers’ big ballpark and ticket prices help fuel postseason player pay.
Capitals
October 27, 2025

Capitals Fire Assistant Coach After Domestic Abuse Investigation

Assault and abuse cases are defining the start of the NHL season.
Oct 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning during game one of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
October 27, 2025

World Series Games Set Ratings Records on Canada’s Sportsnet

Canada continues to watch MLB broadcasts at historic levels.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
October 26, 2025

Lamar Jackson’s Practice Status Flip Sparks NFL Investigation

Baltimore could be disciplined for not properly disclosing Lamar Jackson’s status.
Rob Manfred
October 25, 2025

Canada Could Get MLB Expansion Team, Manfred Says

The league has noted fast-rising fan interest north of the border. 
October 24, 2025

MLB Union Chief on Alert As NBA Gambling Scandal Unfolds

The union leader addresses labor and gambling-related concerns.
October 23, 2025

Underdog Blue Jays vs. Dodgers’ Mega-Payroll on MLB’s Global Stage

The high-profile matchup caps what has been a breakthrough season for the league.