Criticism Over Targeting in WNBA
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham has accused the WNBA and certain players of deliberately targeting her teammate, Caitlin Clark, following a physical altercation with Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas during a recent game. Cunningham expressed her concerns over what she perceives as ongoing harassment aimed at Clark.
In her remarks, Cunningham referenced a specific incident where Thomas appeared to punch Clark in the throat, emphasizing that the league and referees failed to offer protection. “Check out this video where I’m literally on my knees doing some cheap shooting. Clark hurt her throat… They’re definitely targeting her and the league and the referees are not doing anything to protect her,” she stated.
Cunningham mentioned that she and her teammates were unaware of the brutal nature of the incident until it was highlighted in a video posted later. “None of us on our team saw that happening. I promise you if we had seen something like that, we would have had her back,” she claimed.
She continued, “Unfortunately, this type of awful thing happens to her every game and the league and the referees do absolutely nothing about it.” This observation echoes a larger frustration that has been building around player safety and officiating in the league.
Additionally, Cunningham stirred some controversy by targeting DeWanna Bonner of the Mercury for her reaction to Cunningham’s lighthearted pointing during the game. She described a technical foul given in that moment as “the weakest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” adding that her gesture was innocuous and not meant to provoke.
On another note, Cunningham criticized the WNBA for excluding Clark from a prominent league graphic. “It’s a joke. And this is why [WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert] …the best player on this roster in WNBA history,” Cunningham remarked, indicating that the league isn’t doing enough to promote its most talented players.
She expressed disappointment that marquee players like Clark and her teammates are not being showcased properly. “If they were smart, they’d sell some of us, but they’re not. It should be Kaitlyn. It should be Kelsey Mitchell. Like, why put a random player there?”
Cunningham elaborated on how the marketing strategies could be improved, stating that the league should focus on players who attract audience interest. “What we’re doing doesn’t make any sense… they just don’t do that. I don’t know what they’re thinking,” she said.
After a prolonged period of silence, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White recently spoke up about the physicality Clark faces. She described the act of hitting someone in the throat as not just reckless but dangerous. “When these things happen repeatedly, they become frustrating,” White noted.
Although Thomas did not initially receive a foul for her actions, the WNBA took action the next day, suspending her for one game. However, some feel this response falls short of addressing the severity of the incident and offers little assurance of player safety in the future.
