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The WNBA is apparently refusing to profit off of Sophie Cunningham's viral moment.
The Indiana Fever guard created one of the biggest viral moments in recent WNBA history when she went after Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner during a Monday, June 22 game. Cunningham kept pointing at an angered Bonner during a confrontation on the court. The moment quickly went viral.
Everyone, from young fans to old broadcasters, loved the moment, as it continues to go viral on social media.
But it doesn't look like the WNBA wants to profit off of this.
According to multiple reports, the WNBA Players' Union is refusing to allow the league to profit off of these viral moments, because they stem from a confrontation between two players.
WNBA doesn't want to profit off of this
Don't expect to see any official T-shirts or apparel featuring Cunningham and her viral "point" anytime soon.
"The WNBA Players Association is currently prohibiting licensees from using the Sophie point, saying that it is 'derogatory,'" Darren Rovell of cllct reported.
"It’s very real. Just spoke to someone at a big company who showed me their rejection."
“For licensed apparel, we generally do not feature or look to monetize player conduct from a confrontation between our members,” a WNBA spokesperson said to Front Office Sports.
Cunningham, meanwhile, continues to understand how big of a moment it was. And she continues to enjoy how much everyone around her - from young fans to fellow players - loved it.
“I think everyone around the world is posting it,” Cunningham told reporters on July 3. “Every company has done it. They’re just the one to also get on board, and so I didn’t really think twice about it. I think they’re just another group who is posting about it.”
The Fever have been having a big year, as they look to continue playing well ahead of the playoffs, and Cunningham is expected to be a big part of that. She's been playing at a high level, shooting better than 40 percent from the 3-point line.
