Fans Launch Petition to Ban WNBA's Sophie Cunningham After Semifinal Altercations

Sophie Cunningham, a player for the Indiana Fever, has become the center of controversy following a heated WNBA semifinals game against the Connecticut Sun, where she was ejected for a hard foul on Sun's Jacy Sheldon. The incident, which escalated from earlier altercations involving Fever star Caitlin Clark and Sun players, sparked a brawl and led to fines and ejections of multiple players. While many Fever and Clark supporters praised Cunningham for defending her teammate, a faction of WNBA fans has launched a Change.org petition demanding her ban from the league, citing repeated unsportsmanlike conduct and concerns over player safety. The petition argues that Cunningham's actions tarnish the league's reputation and calls for firm disciplinary measures to uphold integrity and fair play. Conversely, others view the petition as an overreaction, defending Cunningham's actions as standing up for her teammate amid aggressive play. The WNBA and fans remain divided on the issue, with Cunningham maintaining significant support despite the backlash.