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Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham reveals WNBA fined her over spicy TikTok

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz07/23/25NickSchultz_7
Sophie Cunningham
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

After a TikTok aimed at officials, Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham said she was fined by the WNBA. She said she had to pay $500 as a result of the video.

Cunningham called out “some refs” in the TikTok and used Sabrina Carpenter’s latest single, “Manchild,” to do so. She reacted to the fine on social media Wednesday, saying she found it “funny.”

In addition, Cunningham said there are more issues surrounding the WNBA right now. The players’ association and the league are in the midst of collective bargaining agreement negotiations, which came to a head during All-Star Weekend. Cunningham alluded to that in her post.

“I got fined $500 for this TikTok,” Cunningham wrote on X. “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.”

Sophie Cunningham signed with the Fever this offseason after starting her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury. She was part of Indiana’s roster overhaul as the franchise worked to build around Caitlin Clark, fresh off a Rookie of the Year award in 2024, and has proven to be an enforcer for the Fever this year.

The “more important things” Cunningham pointed out in her post are a reference to the CBA negotiations, which became a focal point this past weekend during the All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Players wore shirts that read, “Pay us what you owe us” as conversations between the two sides continue.

The WNBPA voiced its displeasure with a counterproposal from the league earlier this month, and revenue-sharing is one of the key issues. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed reporters during the All-Star Game as the players were wearing their shirts and denied a proposal included sharing a fixed rate of revenue with players.

Over the last year, the WNBA has seen a major surge in viewership, as well as ticket and merchandise sales. The league also expanded this year as the Golden State Valkyries launched, and three more cities – Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia – are on the way.

In the meantime, players are fighting for more dollars. Clark said as the league grows, the pay will increase for players, and that’s the meat of the ongoing CBA talks.

“We’re really fortunate we have other deals,” Clark said, via Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile. “That’s one of the things we’re in the room fighting for… is, you know, we should be paid more. Hopefully that’s the case moving forward as the league continues to grow.”