Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham has voiced strong criticism of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) regarding recent league decisions, including the omission of superstar Caitlin Clark from the league's 30th-anniversary poster and the handling of an on-court incident involving Clark.
The controversy erupted when the WNBA released a commemorative poster celebrating its 30th anniversary, featuring prominent players past and present, but notably excluding Clark. Cunningham, who was featured on the poster representing the Fever, questioned the decision on her podcast, "Show Me Something." "Why would you ever put me on it?" she asked, suggesting that Clark, as a generational talent, should have been the focal point. Cunningham characterized the omission as "a joke" and accused the league of failing to capitalize on its biggest stars. "You are leaving out a generational best player to ever go through the WNBA," she stated, adding, "Honestly if they were smart, they would market the s*** out of some of us. They don't."
While Cunningham was selected to represent the Fever, she expressed that players like Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston should also have been considered, asserting "I am not oblivious" to Clark's significance. Her co-host, West Wilson, acknowledged the public outcry over Clark's absence, speculating that there might be underlying issues, such as Commissioner Cathy Engelbert being "jealous" of Clark's platform.
However, the reason for Clark's absence from the anniversary poster may stem from licensing agreements. Darren Rovell, founder of collectibles media site Cllct Media, explained that Clark reportedly does not grant permission for her likeness to be used by third-party licensees, with the exception of Nike, with whom she signed an eight-year, $28 million contract in 2024. Clark apparently only permits the use of her name and number by other licensees.
Cunningham's criticism also extends to the league's response to an incident on June 24, where Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas appeared to punch Clark in the throat during a game. The referees did not call a foul at the time, and Cunningham stated that neither she nor her teammates saw the incident clearly during the game. Thomas was subsequently suspended by the WNBA for one game.
"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," Cunningham said on her podcast. She further alleged that Clark faces rough play frequently, asserting, "Unfortunately, this type of s*** happens every single game to her and the league and the refs do absolutely nothing about it." Cunningham believes players are "definitely targeting" Clark and that the league and referees are failing to protect her.
This is not the first time Cunningham has spoken out against the WNBA. Her recent comments highlight ongoing tensions and questions about the league's management, marketing strategies, and player safety protocols.
