“Grow Up!” Sophie Cunningham Calls Out A’ja Wilson For Overreacting When a Fan Pointed at Her

Sophie Cunningham said she feels the WNBA applied a "double standard" by not disciplining A'ja Wilson for an incident involving a fan.

“Grow Up!” Sophie Cunningham Calls Out A’ja Wilson For Overreacting When a Fan Pointed at Her

Sophie Cunningham on A'ja Wilson (Image credits - BroBible and Yahoo Sports)

The WNBA has done a fine job in growing the league since its inception in 1996. Several stars have helped grow the league, especially A’ja Wilson through her dominance and winning tangibles.

The WNBA’s growth has been clear to everyone. Fan attendance and viewership have shot up significantly over the last decade, driving revenue growth.

Despite the record-breaking growth in recent years, the WNBA trails the NBA significantly in every department. It has spent years demanding passionate fans. However, Sophie Cunningham believes that the league is pushing these very people away.

During Game 2 of the first round between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever, Wilson confronted a Fever fan following a foul call. She said the male fan pointed a finger at her and confronted her. While she defended her actions, she avoided ejection or any further punishment beyond the technical foul, even though the WNBA rulebook states otherwise.

Sophie Cunningham addressed the confrontation on her “No Hesitation” podcast and argued that women athletes have to accept passionate reactions from fans.

We yell that we want equality, that we want to be treated like the men, we deserve all these things, and we do deserve it. You have new fans, and they do something that a sports fan would probably do if you’re on the opposing team, then you’re going to go for him for just pointing, saying that you fouled? Like grow up, what are we doing? We ask all these things and then once people come out and support us, we get mad.

Sophie Cunningham on No Hesitation Show

Following the incident, Cunningham took a subtle shot at the Aces center when the fan pointed a finger at her. The Fever star has been in the spotlight for pointing her finger in the past. Wilson bounced back strongly after Game 2 and helped the Aces eliminate the Fever in Game 3.

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Fans react to Sophie Cunningham calling out A’ja Wilson for her actions

The WNBA rulebook states that “any player, coach, or trainer who deliberately enters the spectator stands during the game will be automatically ejected”. However, Wilson faced no consequences despite making her way to the second row to confront the fan.

WNBA stars have been demanding more fans to attend their games as they look to grow the league. But Cunningham’s comments on the “double standards” sparked a lot of reactions across social media.

Several fans agreed with Cunningham’s comments about Wilson’s encounter with the fan. However, there were many who claimed that such confrontations are common in the NBA as well, and things can flare up in the heat of the game.

Caitlin Clark’s biographer weighs in after Sophie Cunningham slams WNBA double standards

The series between the Aces and Fever was a hard-fought contest. A’ja Wilson picked up from where she left off in the regular season as she put up historic numbers in Games 1 and 3. While there were some questionable decisions during the series, Wilson getting away with it without consequences was one of the big talking points.

A'ja Wilson confronting the Fever fan
A’ja Wilson confronting the Fever fan (Image credits – Fieldhouse Files)

Christine Brennan, the author of “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sport”, reposted Cunningham’s comments and revealed that she has been hearing similar concerns in her reporting.

Some will be angry I reposted this. But there is a reason I did: I’m hearing some of the same things in my reporting since A’ja went after a fan. Bottom line: there is a palpable realization (finally) that Cathy Engelbert’s WNBA looks ridiculous pushing away/not wanting new fans.

Christine Brennan on X

While Wilson claimed the fan pointed his finger at her, the Fever offered different information after the game. They ruled that there had been no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct. But the biggest question is whether the WNBA can ask for more passionate support and then push back when those new fans behave like fans in other major sports.

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