WNBA Official Sophie Cunningham Faces a Fine of $1,500 for Criticizing Referees in a Podcast Episode
WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Fined for Criticizing Referees
Sophie Cunningham, a member of the Indiana Fever, has found herself in hot water with the WNBA after expressing her frustration with the league's referees. Cunningham was fined twice by the WNBA for her comments, with the most recent fine amounting to $1,500.
The first fine was issued for a TikTok video where Cunningham lip-synced to Sabrina Carpenter's song "Manchild" with the caption "@ some refs." The video featured Cunningham poking fun at the referees, implying they were "useless."
In a more serious manner, Cunningham criticized the referees on the debut episode of her podcast, calling them "just so inconsistent." This comment earned her a second fine of $500.
Cunningham's general manager was informed about the fines, and she has since voiced her discontent with the penalties, stating that they would not solve the problem.
This is not an isolated incident in the WNBA. Coaches, players, and broadcasters across the league have voiced frustration this year over inconsistent calls, excessive physicality, and a lack of transparency or accountability from league officials.
It's important to note that the WNBA enforces rules that prohibit public disparagement of officials. When players criticize officiating publicly, the league has regularly issued fines, though it says it does not fine referees for judgment calls in the same manner and does not routinely publish fine amounts.
The WNBA's policy and practice of issuing fines for such comments is not new. In 2016, Candace Parker was fined $10,000 for publicly criticizing officiating following a playoff loss. Across seasons, the league has repeatedly fined players and coaches for similar comments.
The WNBA's approach to referee accountability is through an independent review team. Referees can be demoted or put on probation for misapplication of rules, but not for judgment calls. Referee mistakes are handled through internal performance processes rather than public monetary fines.
Despite the fines, Cunningham maintains that the inconsistency of the referees' calls is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Whether the WNBA's fines are a deterrent or a way to make an example out of Cunningham remains to be seen.
References:
- ESPN, July 2025
- The Athletic, July 2025
- IndyStar, July 2025
- Sports Illustrated, July 2025
- CBS Sports, July 2025
- Sophie Cunningham's repeated fines by the WNBA for criticizing basketball referees have sparked discussions about referee accountability in sports-analysis forums.
- Despite the WNBA's policy of fining players for public disparagement of officials, many WNBA coaches, players, and broadcasters continue to voice their concerns about sports officiating, echoing Cunningham's sentiments about the inconsistency of referee calls.
