Sophie Cunningham isn’t holding back on A’ja Wilson after fan incident
The Indiana guard says players can’t demand more fans while taking issue with ordinary reactions from spectators
Sophie Cunningham has reignited the controversy surrounding A’ja Wilson’s confrontation with a fan, arguing that the WNBA applied a “double standard” by choosing not to impose additional discipline on the Las Vegas Aces star.
The incident happened during Game 2 of the Aces’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Fever. With just over four minutes remaining, Cunningham was called for a foul on Wilson .
A fan behind the baseline then stood up and pointed toward Wilson , prompting the four-time MVP to approach him and exchange words.
Several Aces players moved in to separate Wilson from the spectator, while officials assessed her a technical foul. The fan was escorted from the area but was later permitted to return to his seat after the Fever determined that he hadn’t violated the team’s fan code of conduct.
The WNBA subsequently reviewed the incident and decided Wilson wouldn’t face any additional punishment. League officials determined that she remained in the player escape lane adjacent to the court rather than entering the stands. Two Aces players who left the bench area during the incident also avoided further discipline.
Cunningham believes the league could’ve handled the situation differently. Speaking on her “No Hesitation” podcast, she compared Wilson’s position in the WNBA to LeBron James’ status in the NBA and suggested that the league’s treatment of its biggest stars can create a different standard.
"She's like the LeBron James of our league, and so of course they're not going to suspend her... Something should have happened," Cunningham said.
"The two people who came off the bench onto the court, that should have happened. I think there's definitely a double standard."
Cunningham tells Wilson to “grow up”
Cunningham went beyond questioning the league’s decision and directly criticized Wilson’s reaction to the fan. She argued that players need to accept a certain amount of interaction from spectators, particularly as the WNBA continues to attract new audiences.
"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, and we do, we do deserve it," Cunningham said.
"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 you're going to go for him for just pointing, saying that you fouled? Grow up."
Cunningham also pointed to the criticism she received throughout the season as a reason she felt comfortable making the comments.
“I can say that because I got [expletive] on the entire season. People came after who I am, my character, what I stand for. I’ve heard the worst of the worst. It’s part of it. Who cares?”
Wilson , meanwhile, maintained after Game 2 that the fan’s behavior was unacceptable because he had pointed toward her and stepped in her direction. She apologized to her teammates for receiving the technical foul.
The controversy didn’t affect Wilson’s performance in the deciding game. She responded with 36 points and 10 rebounds as Las Vegas defeated Indiana 94-83, ending the Fever’s playoff run and advancing to the semifinals.
