WNBA Referees Respond After Questionable Ejection of Sophie Cunningham and No-Call on Caitlin Clark — Controversy Grows
The WNBA’s officiating crew is under intense scrutiny once again following a controversial game that saw Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham ejected on a questionable call — while Caitlin Clark appeared to take hard contact without drawing a foul just moments earlier. The league’s referees have now officially responded, but their explanation has only added fuel to an already raging fire.
What Happened?
In the heated matchup, tensions ran high between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever. During a fast-paced sequence in the third quarter, Caitlin Clark was knocked to the floor with what looked like a clear body check — but no whistle blew. Seconds later, Sophie Cunningham was hit with a technical foul and promptly ejected after a minor altercation with an official and opposing players.
Fans immediately erupted on social media, questioning the inconsistent officiating and what many perceived as selective enforcement of the rules.
Official Response from WNBA Referees
Following the backlash, the WNBA officiating team issued a formal response:
“Upon review, the ejection of Sophie Cunningham was based on unsportsmanlike conduct and repeated verbal dissent toward officials. The non-call on the contact involving Caitlin Clark was deemed incidental and within the context of legal play.”
This explanation has done little to calm the growing frustration from fans, coaches, and players — many of whom believe that the calls (and non-calls) are shaping the outcome of critical games and undermining the league’s credibility.
Players and Coaches React
Several players took to social media to defend Cunningham and question the lack of consistency:
Diana Taurasi tweeted: “So we’re just guessing now? This isn’t it.”
Breanna Stewart commented: “Protecting players and maintaining fairness shouldn’t be optional.”
Even Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts expressed his disappointment postgame:
“We just want consistency. Our players deserve to know what’s a foul and what’s not — especially when emotions are high and the game is close.”
A Bigger Issue for the WNBA?
This is not the first officiating controversy this season, particularly where Caitlin Clark is involved. As one of the league’s most high-profile stars, Clark often draws intense defensive pressure — yet fans and commentators have noticed that referees seem hesitant to blow the whistle in her favor.
Meanwhile, veteran players like Sophie Cunningham are vocal about what they see as an uneven playing field in terms of who gets protected and who doesn’t.
The Verdict: A League in the Spotlight
As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity and audience size, every questionable call — or missed one — becomes amplified. Transparency, consistency, and accountability in officiating are becoming non-negotiables if the league hopes to maintain credibility and fairness in the eyes of fans and players alike.
With playoff races heating up and rivalries intensifying, the league may need to take a harder look at its officiating standards and communication practices before the controversy overshadows the basketball itself.
