FEVER's Sophie Cunningham Viral Moment: Protecting Clark and Winning Millions of Fans

Sophie Cunningham fined unfairly

Sophie Cunningham has always been a gritty WNBA competitor, but her new role as a fan favorite is stealing the spotlight. In a season electrified by Caitlin Clark and debates over poor officiating, Cunningham has emerged as a cultural force.

Her bold actions—and a clever T-shirt—have earned her a surge of followers, a $400 fine, and a controversial petition calling for her ban, highlighting the WNBA’s growing pains as it gains traction.

A Gritty Journey to the Fever

Drafted 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2019 out of the University of Missouri, Sophie Cunningham spent five seasons building a reputation as a tenacious defender and vocal leader. Known for her relentless energy, she averaged 7.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game with the Mercury, carving out a role as a sparkplug off the bench. On February 2, 2025, Cunningham was traded to the Indiana Fever in a four-team deal that sent NaLyssa Smith and a draft pick elsewhere in exchange for Cunningham, Jaelyn Brown, a draft pick, and a pick swap.

Her arrival in Indiana was timely. With Clark drawing unprecedented viewership—and physical challenges on the court—the Fever needed a player unafraid to push back. Cunningham fit the bill.

Clark’s meteoric rise has come with scrutiny. Fans and analysts, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, have pointed to aggressive fouls—hip checks, elbows, and shoves—that often seem to go uncalled. Portnoy called out WNBA officials as “embarrassing” after Clark was poked in the eye by Connecticut Sun’s DiJonai Carrington in September 2024, with no foul called, fueling perceptions that teams target Clark to slow her down. A June 2024 game against the Chicago Sky, where a hard screen on Clark sparked debate, further amplified these concerns. While the league emphasizes consistent officiating, many fans feel Clark faces unfair physicality.

Enter Cunningham. In a June 2025 matchup against the Connecticut Sun, known for their rugged style, she didn’t just absorb contact—she responded. In a now-viral moment, Cunningham confronted Sun guard Jacy Sheldon after a hard foul on Clark in transition, throwing Sheldon to the floor and yelling in her face. The move earned Cunningham a $400 fine for a flagrant foul but ignited fans. “She’s the teammate Clark needed,” one X user posted. “Refs won’t protect her, but Sophie will.”

The incident also sparked backlash. A Change.org petition, launched by a small group of fans, called for Cunningham’s ban from the WNBA, arguing her actions were unsportsmanlike. Though the petition gained some traction online, it fell short of significant support. Critics warned that banning players like Cunningham could alienate the gritty veterans the league needs, especially as its popularity surges with Clark’s arrival.

Enter: The “Tres Leches” T-Shirt

Cunningham cemented her status postgame with a T-shirt reading “Tres Leches”—a nod to the Latin dessert and, fans speculated, a cheeky hint at delivering “sweet justice” for her teammate. The phrase caught fire online. Within hours, #TresLechesSophie trended on X, TikToks exploded, and fans created merch mockups. Whether Cunningham intended the double entendre or not, the message resonated.

A Surge in Popularity

Since early June 2025, Cunningham’s social media presence has skyrocketed. Posts on X suggest her TikTok following grew by over 530,000, with estimates of over a million new followers across platforms. Her jersey reportedly sold out, cementing her as an overnight fan favorite. Hashtags like #SophieSaves and #TresLeches trended alongside #FreeCaitlin, reflecting fans’ admiration for her protective role.

These aren’t just casual followers—they’re fans drawn to Cunningham’s toughness and loyalty in a season where Clark’s treatment has sparked fierce debate.

Why It Matters

Cunningham may not lead the league in points, but her impact transcends stats. Her $400 fine and the unaddressed online petition to ban her underscore the WNBA’s growing pains as it navigates newfound attention, largely driven by Clark’s star power.

Dave Portnoy’s support for the Fever and his criticism of the league’s officiating, particularly after incidents like the eye-poke on Clark, echoes the frustration of fans who see Cunningham as a necessary, loyal enforcer. Banning players like her risks alienating the veterans who bring physicality and personality, qualities fans crave in this new era. The fans make the WNBA not the players who dislike the star power of a few more talented players, one in particular.

Sophie Cunningham has become the veteran the Fever—and the women's professional basketball league—didn’t know it needed, and she has gained a massive following for rightly standing up for Clark when others, including the Refs and the League, wouldn’t.