Sophie Cunningham is making headlines once again this season, even after her and the Indiana Fever have been eliminated from playoff contention. Her most recent viral comment came as she dropped a bold take on A’ja Wilson’s heated exchange with a fan during Game 2 of the Indiana Fever-Las Vegas Aces series. Now, after Cunningham spoke on the matter, fans could not stop reacting in the comments, showing their support for her while questioning the league’s subsequent decision regarding Wilson.
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“Us women in sport…We yell from the rooftops that we want equality, that we want to be treated like the men, that we want all this stuff, and we deserve all these things…But if you’re asking for all these fans to come, and you have new fans who are real sports fans, and they come and do something that a sports fan would probably do if you’re on the opposing team, and then we’re going to go after them for just pointing and saying that you fouled, like, grow up.” Cunningham said on the ‘No Hesitation‘ podcast.
“What, what are we doing? Like, we ask all these things, and then once people come out and support us, we get mad, and it’s inappropriate, and then us athletes need to be treated better, and these fans need to be more supportive and not say anything negative.”
Cunningham does not directly name Wilson, but she and her co-host on the podcast were discussing the heated altercation between Wilson and the fan. The incident in question happened late in Game 2. With just around four minutes left in the fourth quarter, A’ja Wilson drew contact as Sophie Cunningham screened her. While Cunningham went down to the floor and was assessed a foul, Wilson proceeded towards the stands and soon got into an altercation with a fan sitting courtside, who reportedly shouted, “It’s [foul] on you.”
A heated exchange between Wilson and the fan followed, and officials and teammates had to be involved to separate the two. Wilson was given a technical foul for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” and her behaviour invited a lot of criticism from the fans. The fan, who had left the sidelines after the interaction, returned to his seat later and was reportedly seen high-fiving those around him
Almost a week later, Sophie Cunningham’s take on the matter opened a whole new can of worms, with fans rushing to the comment section of the clip which was reposted on Instagram by The Sporting News.
“Aja Charmin ultra soft,” said one fan online.
“She is 100% right. Argue with a wall. I watched sports all my life. I remember Duke vs. NC and the crowd chanting wild shit or trying to touch the players when they were on the sideline. If A’ja can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen. She is a professional victim,” another fan added.
“Spot on. They always angry, never apologetic; the crowd can’t resist,” said one fan.
Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox has also given her thoughts on this issue, coming out in support of the Fever fans, calling it “a home-court advantage for a reason.” Cox, while saying that fans who cross the line should face consequences, also said that Fever fans were not the problem, responding to the growing discontent around their behavior at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“She’s hundred percent true!,” another fan chipped in.
“She’s 100% right. Not the best player, but 100% right,” one fan added.
The fans also questioned as to why Wilson was not suspended after the game, when it is normal to see something like this happen regularly to players in other leagues. WNBA analyst Jon Root also pointed this out.
“Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson will not face a suspension, a fine, OR ANY repercussions for entering the seating area* & confronting a Fever fan in Game 2…None of the Aces’ players who left the bench or confronted fans will face repercussions either,” wrote Root on X.
Instead of settling down, the incident got renewed attention as Wilson’s mom held a “Love beats hate” sign after Game 3. Fans couldn’t help but wonder about its connection to the Game 2 incident. By the looks of it, it seems that this incident will remain a topic of conversation with the fans for some time.
Regardless of the exchange, the Aces won the series 2-1 with A’ja Wilson leading the charge, despite losing Game 2. Wilson and Co. will now turn their attention to the semifinals. They face the Golden State Valkyries, who defeated the Dallas Wings to claim their semifinal spot.