Sophie Cunningham is at the center of a firestorm that’s rocking the WNBA — and fans are demanding action.

Following a heated clash during a high-stakes game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, thousands of furious fans have signed a petition calling for Cunningham’s permanent removal from the league.

The hashtag #BanSophieNow trended across X (formerly Twitter) within hours of the incident, as emotions boiled over and video footage of the altercation spread like wildfire.

“It was disgraceful,” one fan wrote. “She’s not playing basketball — she’s starting fights.”

The now-viral video shows Cunningham aggressively shoving a Fever player during the fourth quarter after a series of hard fouls and trash talk escalated. What followed was a bench-clearing moment that forced referees to pause the game for over five minutes to restore order.

Cunningham was ejected from the game after receiving a flagrant 2 foul. She walked off the court to a chorus of boos and visible anger from Fever fans in the stands.

Social media erupted.

“She’s a disgrace to the WNBA!” one fan screamed in a post that’s now been viewed over 2 million times. Another added: “If this happened in the NBA, she’d be suspended without question.”

Within 24 hours, a Change.org petition demanding Cunningham’s ban from the league passed 100,000 signatures — and the number continues to grow by the minute.

Even celebrities and former players weighed in.

“This is not how we grow the game,” said retired WNBA legend Lisa Leslie. “There’s a line between competitiveness and recklessness. And Sophie crossed it.”

The incident has reignited a conversation about physicality in the league, particularly regarding how games involving Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have escalated this season.

Many believe Cunningham’s clash was the tipping point.

“This wasn’t just one heated moment,” wrote one sports columnist. “It’s part of a pattern we’re seeing this season — a dangerous one.”

Meanwhile, Cunningham has yet to issue a public statement. Her team, the Phoenix Mercury, released a brief comment saying they are “reviewing the incident and awaiting the league’s decision.”

Sources inside the WNBA confirm that Cunningham may face a multi-game suspension, but have not indicated whether a more severe penalty — such as season expulsion — is on the table.

Fever head coach Stephanie White expressed frustration in her postgame interview, saying, “This league needs to protect its players. Period.”

Caitlin Clark, who appeared visibly shaken on the court during the incident, declined to speak directly about Cunningham but said, “We’re here to play basketball, not fight.”

Despite the backlash, some WNBA veterans have defended Cunningham, suggesting the reaction is overblown.

“She’s intense. That’s who she is,” said one anonymous player. “The league’s getting more competitive, and tempers will flare.”

But for many fans, that’s not good enough.

“This isn’t just about Sophie,” said another signatory of the petition. “It’s about setting a standard. We can’t let this slide.”

As the league investigates and emotions continue to run high, one thing is clear — this is more than just a one-game incident.

It could mark a turning point in how the WNBA handles player conduct, rivalries, and the growing pains of a league finally entering the mainstream spotlight.

Is this the end of Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA career — or just the beginning of a long and controversial chapter?

Time will tell.