The WNBA is making headlines again, but this time not for dazzling plays or impressive stats. Instead, it’s due to an explosive and unpleasant fight between Sophie Cunningham (Phoenix Mercury) and Jacy Sheldon (Indiana Fever).
Both players were ejected from the game between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever after a physical altercation involving shoving, yelling, and hair pulling.
The clash came shortly after Sheldon was involved in another controversial moment – accidentally hitting Caitlin Clark in the face, causing the Fever star to fall. For many viewers, Cunningham’s reaction was seen as a way of defending her teammate. But on social media, a far more unexpected theory began to spread.
Parody post sparks rumors
The satirical account NBA Centel, known for spreading fake news with a humorous twist, posted a tweet claiming that the real cause of the fight was a romantic issue. According to the post, Jacy Sheldon had liked a photo of Sophie Cunningham’s ex-boyfriend on Instagram, which allegedly triggered the Phoenix player’s fury.
Though the post was clearly fictional, it surpassed 400,000 views, sparking a flood of reactions, memes, and comments online.
“Jacy Sheldon liked a photo of Sophie Cunningham’s ex, and that was enough to set the court on fire last night,” the account wrote mockingly.
Reactions split between laughter and confusion
The public’s response was immediate. Some took it with humor:
“The WNBA is more soap opera than basketball league “
“If they hired WWE writers, they’re doing a great job “
Others, unaware it was a parody account, were genuinely confused:
“They were a cute couple,” commented one user.
“One like and it all went downhill,” added another.
This situation highlights how easily false theories can go viral, even reaching media outlets that, more than once, have mistakenly cited NBA Centel as a real source.
No official statements from the WNBA
So far, neither Sophie Cunningham nor Jacy Sheldon has made any public statements regarding the incident or the alleged romantic motives. The league has also not officially explained the reason for the confrontation, simply enforcing the standard penalties after the fight.
Regardless of the rumor’s truth, the WNBA is once again in the spotlight for reasons off the court – at a time when its media exposure is on the rise.
When the drama outshines the game
The Cunningham-Sheldon incident is yet another example of how social media amplifies the spectacle surrounding sports – even when it’s based on unfounded rumors. In a league that’s growing in visibility, off-court stories – real or not – can generate as much attention as the games themselves.
In the WNBA, each game day can be as unpredictable as a TV script. And apparently, the drama is far from over.
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