WNBA issues punishment after latest Sophie Cunningham incident

Sophie Cunningham has been an integral part of the Indiana Fever team since she joined the team before the start of the 2025 season. The eight-year veteran was traded to Indiana after spending six years with the Phoenix Mercury.

With the Fever, Cunningham emerged as their enforcer and reliable sharpshooter. This season, she is averaging 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 27 games. She’s also shooting 47.5% from the field and 44% from three, both career highs.

Cunningham is the fourth-leading scorer on the Indiana squad. She has only started three games this year, but her impact has been felt every time she steps on the floor.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) in the second half against the New York Liberty.

The Fever are on a roll right now as they are currently on a four-game winning streak.

They picked up their latest win on Tuesday when they visited the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Cunningham scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in Indiana’s 105-95 win.

Unfortunately, there was an issue surrounding Cunningham’s fans and a Storm co-owner.

Teenage girls supporting the Fever guard entered the arena wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts. This comes after Cunningham’s controversial comments about transgender athletes playing in women’s sports.

However, things escalated when an older woman associated with the Storm approached and yelled at them.

“[expletive] insane,” the woman reportedly yelled to Cunningham’s supporters.

WNBA punishes Storm co-owner after Sophie Cunningham incident

The woman was later identified as Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton. The team then issued an apology for what happened.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game,” Storm Majority Owner Ginny Gilder said. “We apologize that this happened.”

On Wednesday, Front Office Sports reported that the WNBA has issued a punishment to Keaton. The league has suspended her from attending the team’s next five home games for allegedly making profane comments to Cunningham’s fans on Tuesday.

The Storm are starting a four-game road trip on Friday, beginning with a matchup against Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream. They won’t play at home Aug. 10 against the Chicago Sky. Keaton will be barred from attending that matchup and the four succeeding Seattle games at Climate Pledge Arena.

Cunningham later posted on X showing support to her fans. She labeled Keaton’s behavior as “truly embarrassing.”

The Fever are back in action on Friday as well. They will be on the road to face the Portland Fire, as Indiana looks to keep their four-game winning streak alive.