Sophie Cunningham’s $500 fine for a TikTok video has sparked outrage across the WNBA community, and it’s about much more than just a social media post. The fine highlights a growing issue in the league—one that fans and players alike have been voicing for months: the officiating is broken, and the league is punishing those who dare to speak out about it.

Cunningham, a standout player for the Indiana Fever, has never been shy about using her platform to call out injustice. Known for her tenacity on the court and her fearless personality off it, she used her social media account to bring attention to a glaring issue that has been plaguing the league: inconsistent officiating. Specifically, Cunningham was calling attention to the unfair treatment of her teammate, Caitlyn Clark, who has faced an alarming number of physical fouls and no calls in crucial games.

In her now-infamous TikTok, Cunningham lip-synced to Sabrina Carpenter’s song Manchild, with the caption reading, “At some refs… or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless.” A bold statement, for sure, but one that many fans would agree with, considering the numerous instances throughout the season where Clark, in particular, has been targeted by opposing players with no consequence from referees. Instead of being praised for calling attention to this ongoing problem, Cunningham was hit with a fine. $500. For speaking up.

In a statement that accompanied her repost of the TikTok video on X (formerly Twitter), Cunningham made it clear that the fine wasn’t about her; it was about the bigger issue: the unfair treatment of players, especially Clark, by referees. “I got fined $500 for this TikTok. It wasn’t a no call on a blatant foul or a technical for a player reacting to being shoved,” Cunningham wrote. “No, this was different. I spoke out against the abuse we’re receiving from the refs.”

Cunningham’s frustration wasn’t hard to understand. In a game earlier this season, she was elbowed in the face, right in front of the referee, and the official did nothing. No foul, no whistle, no acknowledgment of what had just happened. It was as if getting hit in the face had become just another part of the WNBA experience. And this was just the latest in a series of no-calls and missed fouls that had left players, coaches, and fans fuming.

The league’s response was swift and unforgiving. Instead of addressing the real problem—the glaring issue with officiating—they chose to fine Cunningham for speaking up. This fine wasn’t just a penalty for a TikTok post; it was a message from the league to all players: “Speak out, and there will be consequences.” It’s a clear attempt to silence those brave enough to challenge the status quo.

What makes this even more egregious is that while Cunningham was being punished for her honesty, players who were targeting Clark, physically fouling her with no calls in sight, received no discipline. It’s a double standard that fans have been noticing for years. Clark, one of the biggest stars in the league, has faced more dirty plays than almost any other player, yet she consistently gets fewer calls than anyone else. It’s as if the league is willing to turn a blind eye to the abuse of their most valuable players.

And it’s not just Clark who is facing these issues. Cunningham, too, has been the target of rough play, receiving more flagrant fouls than most other players. Yet, like Clark, she receives little to no protection from the referees. In one game, she was elbowed in the face, then immediately called for a foul after a minimal contact play on defense. The inconsistency in officiating has been maddening for players and fans alike. It’s as though the league is more interested in maintaining control over the narrative than ensuring fairness on the court.

The problem doesn’t just stop with Cunningham’s fine. The league’s inability to protect its players—especially its stars—has become a widespread issue. Players who stand up for themselves or for their teammates, as Cunningham did, are punished, while players who engage in dirty play are given a free pass. This has created a toxic environment where players feel unsafe and unsupported.

It’s not just about the players, though. This issue has significant implications for the WNBA as a whole. Caitlyn Clark, who is the face of the league right now, is the reason why women’s basketball is getting the national attention it deserves. Her games break viewership records, her merchandise flies off the shelves, and she has a massive fanbase that includes casual sports fans who tune in specifically to watch her play. Yet, despite all of this, the league refuses to protect her. And now, after Cunningham’s fine, it’s clear that the WNBA is more concerned with controlling the narrative than with protecting the players who are driving that narrative forward.

The irony of Cunningham’s fine is impossible to ignore. Here you have a player who is standing up for the league’s most important star, calling out the officiating that is affecting not only Clark but many players in the league, and she gets fined for it. Meanwhile, players who target Clark or others with no regard for the rules or sportsmanship face no repercussions. This sends a dangerous message to both the players and the fans: speak out, and the league will come after you. But if you break the rules, you’re untouchable.

So what’s next? Will the WNBA finally listen to its players? Will they step up and take action to fix the broken officiating system? Or will they continue to prioritize control over accountability, punishing players for speaking the truth while letting dirty plays slide?

The answer to that question will determine the future of the league. If the WNBA wants to continue growing and thriving, they need to protect the players who are making the league relevant, like Caitlyn Clark and Sophie Cunningham. They need to stop treating their stars as expendable and start taking the necessary steps to ensure that the game remains fair, safe, and just.

For now, fans are watching closely. They see the inconsistencies, they see the hypocrisy, and they won’t forget how the league has treated its players. And as long as the WNBA continues down this path, it risks alienating the very people who have helped it reach new heights: the fans, the players, and the ones who love the game.