Sophie Cunningham, shooting guard for the Indiana Fever, doesn’t hold back when it comes to speaking out about WNBA officiating. Earlier this month, the player used her podcast Show Me Something to criticize the inconsistency of the whistles, which earned her a $1,500 fine from the league.
Far from backing down, Cunningham doubled down this week. In the latest episode of her show, she directly called out Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers, claiming she received special treatment from the referees during the most recent matchup between the two franchises.
Cunningham’s complaint about Bueckers
“I love Paige, don’t get me wrong. She’s a great player and I’d love to be on the same team with her someday. But last night she got every damn whistle,” Cunningham said in comments reported by ClutchPoints. “You literally couldn’t touch her. And if they’re going to call it that way, then give our guards the same treatment.”
The game, which ended in a loss for the Indiana Fever, left Cunningham visibly frustrated with what she sees as a double standard in how players are treated-especially high-profile figures like Bueckers.
Stephanie White also speaks out
Cunningham wasn’t the only one to voice her discontent. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White harshly criticized the lack of consistency in officiating. In statements to CBS Sports, she claimed that Aliyah Boston is “the worst-officiated post player” in the entire league.
“It was a physical game. I think there’s a double standard in how fouls are called,” White said. “Kelsey Mitchell is held or pushed on nearly every possession and never gets a call. Aliyah Boston rarely gets a foul in her favor. There’s a clear double standard.”
Tension rises within the Indiana Fever
The criticism only adds to the growing tension between the Indiana Fever and the WNBA’s officiating crew. For the team, the perception of favoritism and inconsistent decisions may be directly affecting their on-court performance-and even more so, their competitive confidence.
With these statements, Cunningham and White have made it clear they’re not afraid to face potential sanctions if it means bringing attention to what they see as a blatant injustice. The controversy, far from dying down, seems to be fueling a debate that could reach the league’s front office.
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