Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate, has stepped up her criticism of the WNBA as the league continues to face scrutiny over its latest controversy.
The WNBA was thrust back into the spotlight last week after Clark — widely regarded as one of the league’s biggest stars — was struck in the throat by Phoenix Mercury standout Alyssa Thomas.
Days later, the league intensified the backlash when it unveiled a promotional poster marking its 30th anniversary, with Clark absent from the image.
The post, which featured a collection of prominent WNBA figures from past and present, angered fans who quickly noted that the Fever guard was left out just one day after the on-court incident.
Cunningham, rather than Clark, was chosen as the player representing Indiana among the league’s 15 teams.
However, even she was left furious at the decision as she hit out at the WNBA for overlooking Clark on her Show Me Something podcast.
Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham (left) criticized the WNBA amid the controversy (pictured right: commissioner Cathy Engelbert with Tom Brady)
The WNBA shared an anniversary image featuring several of the league’s best-known names, past and present, but Fever star Caitlin Clark was notably not included
“Why would you ever put me on it?” Cunningham asked in disbelief.
Her co-host West Wilson insisted that it was cool that Cunningham made the commemorative poster. However, even he couldn’t deny Clark’s absence raised eyebrows.
‘People are up in arms that Caitlin’s not on it,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to get in beef with Cathy either but it’s like she’s jealous of her. She like won’t give her the platform. It’s f***ing so weird.’
Agreeing, Cunningham branded the decision a joke as she accused the league of failing to capitalize on its biggest names.
‘You are leaving out a generational best player to ever go through the WNBA,’ she said. ‘Honestly if they were smart, they would market the s*** out of some of us. They don’t.’
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‘That should be Caitlin,’ she added, when Wilson reminded her that she made the poster. ‘That should be Kelsey Mitchell. That should be Aliyah Boston. I am not oblivious.’
Despite the uproar, Clark’s omission may not have been the league’s choice. The decision may have been out of WNBA chiefs’ hands due to her own licensing rules.
Darren Rovell, the founder of collectibles media site Cllct Media, explained that the actual reason why Clark was left off is because she doesn’t allow the likes of WinCraft to use her likeness.
Lexi Hull, Clark and Sophie Cunningham (L-R) of the Indiana Fever after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday in Indianapolis
Alyssa Thomas appeared to punch Clark in the throat during their game last week
Other than Nike, who Clark signed an eight-year, $28million contract with back in 2024, Clark only allows licensees to use her name and number.
It was not the first time Cunningham has taken aim at the league in the past week with the Fever star also criticizing the powers-that-be over the punch on Clark.
Clark was struck by Thomas in the game against Phoenix Mercury on June 24. She was driving to the hoop when she fell to the ground in the paint while under pressure from a number of Mercury defenders.
Three rival players were battling to strip the ball away from Clark and succeeded in doing so. But, while Clark was down on the floor, Thomas charged in and put her closed fist into the Fever superstar’s neck.
The incident was missed by the referees – and Cunningham revealed the Fever team were also unaware during the game of what had happened – but Thomas was later banned by the WNBA for just one game over the incident.
Speaking on her podcast, Cunningham explained: ‘I did not see that happen. None of our team saw that happen in real time, but if we did we would have had her back.
‘Unfortunately, this type of s*** happens every single game to her and the league and the refs do absolutely nothing about it.’
‘You see the videos of literally kneeing and cheap-shotting C in the throat – like, if she did that to any of our teammates we would be p***ed. But they are definitely targeting her and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her.
‘They’re definitely targeting her and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her.’
