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WNBA Fans Start Petition to Ban Caitlin Clark’s Teammate originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Members of the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun tussled during basketball plays and by way of extra-curricular activities on multiple occasions during the semifinals of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on June 17, which has led to a petition that demands the league ban a prominent member of the Fever.
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Referees ejected Sophie Cunningham from the contest in question late in the fourth quarter after a hard foul against the Sun’s Jacy Sheldon. Sheldon was involved in an earlier scuffle with Indiana’s star point guard Caitlin Clark, poking Clark in the eye during a play, which led to Clark pushing Sheldon away and Connecticut player Marina Mabrey shoving Clark to the ground after the whistle in retaliation.
Below is video of Cunningham’s foul on Sheldon, which came with less than one minute to play and the Fever up 17 and comfortably positioned to win the contest.
“Status alert: Sophie Cunningham, Jacy Sheldon, Lindsay Allen have been ejected Tuesday,” Underdog WNBA captioned the video in an X post.
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Naturally, Fever fans and Clark’s enormous fan base lauded Cunningham for her efforts to “protect” Clark, as some deemed Cunningham’s actions on social media. However, a much smaller contingent of WNBA fans have begun circulating a petition via Change.org urging the WNBA to ban Cunningham from the league entirely.
A portion of the petition is as follows:
Sophie Cunningham’s repeated displays of unsportsmanlike conduct during games against the Connecticut Sun have reached a point where decisive action is necessary. Cunningham has been involved in numerous incidents that have not only compromised the safety of other players but also tarnished the reputation of the WNBA as a league that prides itself on integrity and fair play. …
We urge the WNBA to uphold its standards and take firm action against players who repeatedly demonstrate disrespect and aggression toward others. Removing Sophie Cunningham from the league would send a strong message that the WNBA does not tolerate violence or intimidation, ensuring that the court remains a place for celebration, skill, and unity rather than conflict.
The petition to ban Cunningham had 256 signatures as of early Friday afternoon, June 20.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Draws Strong Reactions From Fever Fans After WNBA Punishment
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
