WNBA Drama: Petition Targets Sophie Cunningham for Ban After Fiery On-Court Clash!
A WNBA fan launched a Change.org petition to ban Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham from the league after she triggered a brawl in an 88-71 win against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday. The incident occurred when Cunningham delivered a hard foul on Sun player Jacy Sheldon in the final seconds, escalating tensions after Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the WNBA Rookie of the Year, was shoved to the ground earlier by Sun guard Marina Mabrey. This sparked a melee involving players from both teams.
Fever fans have rallied behind Cunningham for protecting Clark, with her jersey selling out post-incident. However, a small group of WNBA fans is pushing for her expulsion. The petition, which has fewer than 350 signatures, claims Cunningham’s actions endanger players and damage the WNBA’s reputation for integrity and sportsmanship.
It argues that her “aggressive and malicious” behavior undermines the league’s values of empowerment and fair play, urging the WNBA to remove her to reinforce its stance against violence and intimidation.
The WNBA escalated Mabrey’s technical foul for shoving Clark and penalized Cunningham with a Flagrant-2 foul, resulting in an automatic fine, followed by an additional fine. Cunningham stood by her actions without apology, while Fever coach Stephanie White criticized the officials for losing control of the game, noting that unchecked physicality has been an issue all season. White said such incidents are inevitable in fierce competition when referees fail to intervene early, a concern she raised from the first quarter.
Sun coach Rachid Meziane called Cunningham’s foul “disrespectful” and “completely stupid,” given the Fever’s 17-point lead and the game’s final moments. He questioned why Sun players Lindsey Allen and Jacy Sheldon were ejected despite doing little, labeling the foul unnecessary and provocative.