The WNBA has seen its fair share of headline-making moments, but few have stirred up as much noise as Sophie Cunningham’s recent run of controversy and charisma. In just a few months, the Indiana Fever guard has gone from being a gritty role player to a marketing powerhouse—while also becoming a thorn in the league’s side.
It all began in April 2025 when Cunningham, newly traded to the Fever, posted a casual TikTok review of Arby’s ham and roast beef sliders. “Solid nine out of ten,” she quipped in her signature Missouri drawl. The video racked up more than 800,000 views, sparking a wave of comments from fans and catching the attention of Arby’s marketing team.
Fast forward to July 27, 2025. On the Fever’s Barbie Night game against the Chicago Sky, Cunningham walked into Wintrust Arena wearing a red-and-white crop top emblazoned with the phrase “Hot Girls Eat Arby’s.” Social media erupted instantly. Fans called it iconic. Arby’s reposted the look with the caption, “Unapologetic queen.”
That moment sealed the first-ever Arby’s endorsement deal for a WNBA player. The $20 shirt sold out in hours, and Cunningham’s follower count surged past one million.
But her viral rise wasn’t all smiles and sandwich deals. Just days before, she had posted another TikTok—this one lip-syncing to a Sabrina Carpenter track with the pointed caption, “At some refs.” The playful jab at WNBA officiating hit 1.3 million views in less than 48 hours.
The league’s response? A $500 fine. Cunningham didn’t back down, posting sarcastically, “Okay, you got it, bud. Like there’s not more important things to be worried about in our league right now.”
The fine struck a nerve with fans and players alike, igniting debate about the WNBA’s priorities. Why, many asked, was the league so quick to punish a lighthearted social media clip, yet slow to address player concerns over inconsistent officiating, low salaries, and working conditions?
Cunningham’s on-court play has given her an equally strong platform. Averaging 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 22 games, she’s stepped up in key moments—especially when Caitlin Clark was sidelined by injuries. She’s also become known as Clark’s enforcer, famously getting ejected in June after defending her teammate during a heated game against the Connecticut Sun. “I’m going to protect my teammates. That’s what I do,” she told reporters afterward.
Her aggressive play and outspoken personality have made her a fan favorite but also a lightning rod in a league some say prefers players who stick to the script.
Critics point to what they see as a double standard: the WNBA benefits from stars like Cunningham and Clark driving ticket sales and viewership, yet seems eager to police their public personas when they step outside the league’s comfort zone.
Cunningham isn’t shying away from the fight. She’s been a vocal supporter of the WNBPA’s push for a fairer collective bargaining agreement, echoing calls for better pay. At the 2025 All-Star Game, she joined other players in wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts. Her stance reflects a growing frustration among athletes—Clark, for example, earns just $78,000 while generating over a quarter of the league’s economic activity.
The Arby’s deal only adds to her influence. What started as a viral tunnel walk has turned into a branding win, with sold-out merch, millions of online views, and partnerships with other major brands. In an era when players are building personal empires through social media, Cunningham’s ascent is proof that authenticity resonates with fans more than polished PR.
And that’s where the WNBA faces a challenge. Cunningham’s $500 fine may have been intended as a warning shot, but it’s had the opposite effect. Instead of silencing her, it’s amplified her voice—and made her an even bigger figure in the league’s cultural conversation.
Whether she’s diving for loose balls, defending her superstar teammate, or turning roast beef into a viral moment, Sophie Cunningham is showing the WNBA—and the sports world—that she’s here to do things her own way. The league can either embrace that energy or risk falling behind.
One thing’s certain: Cunningham isn’t backing down. And from the way the fans are responding, she doesn’t need to.
