Sophie Cunningham just can’t seem to catch a break. The Indiana Fever guard’s year was derailed by a torn MCL, but even on the sidelines, she hasn’t been able to escape controversy. Cunningham has repeatedly found herself at odds with WNBA officials, and her outspoken nature has now brought her yet another penalty from the league.
Why Has the WNBA Repeatedly Fined Sophie Cunningham?
The Indiana Fever guard revealed on her Show Me Something podcast that the WNBA has penalized her again, this time for comments about rookie star Paige Bueckers.
“I’m officially 3 for 3 on being fined by the WNBA. They didn’t like my comments on Paige Bueckers. I didn’t even say anything bad,” Cunningham admitted.
Sophie got fined again lmfao
“I’m officially 3 for 3 on being fined by the WNBA. They didn’t like my comments on Paige Bueckers.” pic.twitter.com/GnZcHu3uWP
— correlation (@nosyone4) August 20, 2025
The guard was referring to remarks she made after Indiana’s 81-80 loss to the Wings on Aug. 12, where she felt Bueckers received a friendlier whistle than most.
“I love Paige to death, do not get me wrong … I think she’s a hell of a player and would love to play with her one day, but those refs were giving [Bueckers] every whistle last night,” she said. “Like you literally couldn’t touch her. If you’re going to do that, then give it to our guards.”
Bueckers later downplayed the controversy, saying only: “Everyone is entitled to their own unique personal opinion.” But it seems the WNBA didn’t take Cunningham’s comments as lightly as the Wings’ rookie sensation, slapping her with another fine.
Interestingly, this is far from Cunningham’s first brush with league discipline. Just a few weeks ago, she was docked $500 after posting a TikTok video that mocked referees by lip-syncing Sabrina Carpenter’s song Manchild with the caption “@ some refs.” It wasn’t a direct callout, but the implication was clear enough for the league to step in.
If that seemed lighthearted, her second fine showed her intent to double down. On the debut episode of her Show Me Something podcast, Cunningham openly ripped into officiating inconsistency. The league quickly responded with a $1,500 penalty, a hefty escalation that made clear the WNBA wasn’t amused by her candor.
Now, with a third fine following her Bueckers comments, Cunningham has developed a reputation as one of the most outspoken and controversial voices in the W.
How Long Will the MCL Injury Keep Cunningham Out?
Cunningham’s frustration doesn’t stop with fines. The 29-year-old will undergo surgery for a torn MCL she suffered during Sunday’s Fever vs. Connecticut Sun game. The injury ended her debut season with the Fever. Recovery from that type of tear can take up to five months, meaning she’ll be sidelined well into the offseason before she can return to basketball shape.
For Cunningham, who was traded to Indiana this season and sidelined by a knee injury, the latest fine underscores a frustrating reality: even when she can’t take the court, she’s still making headlines for battles off of it.
