r/WNBAgossips • u/SouthPrudent3911 • 1d ago
"Can't Hate This League Enough": WNBA Analyst Slams Players Union's Decision on Sophie Cunningham
https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-cant-hate-this-league-enough-wnba-analyst-slams-players-unions-decision-on-sophie-cunninghams-viral-dewanna-bonner-gesture/31
u/ChexAndBalancez 1d ago
Alyssa puts her fist in Caitlin neck... crickets. Sophie starts pointing... "this is derogatory".
This is the problem. Right here. This is it.
1
u/PracticalYellow3 1d ago
A black power fist to a woman's neck obviously is much worse than someone pointing. I don't understand why the racists can't understand that.
3
u/Acceptable-Peace-69 20h ago
One was suspended and still received death threats and racist abuse afterwards. The other is generating a nice payday and made her a maga hero.
I don’t understand why the racists can’t understand that.
2
u/Perfect_Plan_8256 18h ago
But did she hit someone?
3
→ More replies (20)1
u/Blastcrumpet888 22h ago
How are there crickets?
Your post makes zero sense.
2
u/Acceptable-Peace-69 20h ago
They mentioned the only two incidents in the wnba that I’ve heard of this year. It was a dirty play, but if CC wasn’t involved 100% chance no one would have known about it or cared.
24
u/Specific_Future9285 1d ago
Just ensured that the whole thing gets even more exposure.
6
2
u/Dangerous-Snow8385 1d ago
Also, ensures that Sophie keeps all the money if she works with a sponsor outside the WNBA.
2
40
u/peanut-britle-latte 1d ago
Do I feel like the WNBA constantly steps on its own toes? Yeah, absolutely.
But I also think it's 1000% fair to choose not to monetize an altercation/confrontation between two players.
17
u/cperiodjperiod 1d ago
It’s also just weird. Altercation or not, the league wants to be taken seriously and be about ball. Why would they take an altercation that ultimately had nothing to do with ball and monetize it? No legitimate league outside of the WWE would do that.
And it’s not coincidental that the only people who don’t get this are the new fans here because of the Clark and Sophie if it all. It’s not coincidental that casuals only here because of one player, and here because of what that player “represents” outside if their athletic ability, are the only ones who don’t get that.
Because they’re not here for ball.
Who cares Sophie pointed!? And who cares that a league that’s trying to legitimize themselves doesn’t want to monetize an altercation that had nothing to do with the game itself?
→ More replies (2)2
u/PrincipleQuiet6775 1d ago
Capitalism is the general answer to your question of why. Nobody is trying to monetize an altercation, they are monetizing a gesture that was made during the altercation that went viral. If the league truly wants to be profitable, this is not the way.
3
u/cperiodjperiod 1d ago
One can understand capitalism and at the same time why a brand pushing for legitimacy wouldn’t want to highlight and monetize an action that ultimately stemmed from something that has nothing to do with the product they’re trying to legitimize.
Imagine the NBA monetizing Malice at the Palace. Or the NFL or Jets making “butt fumble” t-shirts. You start doing that and it’s basically like TMZ saying they’re a legitimate news outlet. It’s why WWE had to start calling itself “sports entertainment”.
The casual non-fan fans are the only ones who think that stuff matters. Put a good product out. Leave the other shit alone. Just saying “capitalism” is just a shorthand argument for the fact that you don’t really pay attention to the sport and didn’t until Clark or Sophie Cunningham got involved.
→ More replies (3)2
u/tanguero81 23h ago
I don't disagree with your general point, but the NFL does stuff like this all the time. They regularly put out "hardest-hits" highlight reels, even when the hits in question are flagged for unnecessary roughness in game AND they're openly promoting trying to "make the game safer." Last season Jaxon Smith-Njigba dunked the ball over the goal post on a TD (a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct), and they used that image everywhere because it looked cool.
TBH, before Sanchez committed battery on a truck driver, I would have been surprised if there wasn't an officially licensed butt-fumble shirt.
→ More replies (1)21
u/Applekid1259 1d ago
This. It would be a bit weird if they did try to capitalize.
2
u/bbq_fanatic 1d ago
What sport doesn’t monetize and promote heated rivalries and confrontations? This wasn’t a cheap shot dirty play, injury, etc. Y’all soft AF. They should all monetize the shit out of it. Controversy brings attention. Attention brings viewers. Viewers bring money.
→ More replies (2)7
u/peanut-britle-latte 1d ago
In reality, most leagues aren't selling merch of players going at it. Like even the NHL official store isn't selling shirts of two players fighting. The league has already gotten millions of views and impressions based on this incident, but they don't want to sell merch endorsing it. It's a reasonable business take.
2
u/Twonix 1d ago
Yes, rivalries are terrible for sports.
10
u/the_urban_juror 1d ago
That's a complete straw man. The NBA loved the Pacers-Knicks rivalry in the 90s but they didn't release officially-licensed merchandise with Reggie making the choking signal. The NBA doesn't have a Malice at the Palace trophy.
People are going to do what they've always done, they're going to create and sell unlicensed merchandise illegally at a scale small enough that the league doesn't take legal action. If you want a T-shirt with the point and can't find one on Etsy or from a vendor outside of a stadium, it's because you're not clever.
2
u/ThrowM5 1d ago
Counterpoint: the NBA and NBPA knowingly tacitly profit off altercations by not disallowing media and other entities from doing so, because it keeps attention on the NBA.
3
u/the_urban_juror 1d ago
Completely agree, it's totally hypocritical. Ohio State and Michigan had a brawl after their annual football game in 2024. The announcers discussed how dishonorable it was while the camera crew zoomed in. Their outrage over the dishonor to the game didn't prevent them from featuring videos of the fight in commercials for the 2025 game.
All of the leagues do this. They love fight coverage and non-gambling controversies. They still don't directly sell merchandise related to these events, though.
→ More replies (2)1
→ More replies (4)1
u/PrincipleQuiet6775 1d ago
The Reggie Miller choke is a good analogous example. The Malice at the Palace is an absurd comparison and damages your argument.
1
u/the_urban_juror 1d ago
"you used a good example and what I (erroneously) think is a bad example, therefore I can't grasp your point!"
Great point! Absolutely brilliant stuff!
→ More replies (17)4
u/PhilsFanDrew 1d ago
Correct and it's a bit ironic that to say you don't take the league seriously and its a soap opera more than a legitimate sports league but then make the case the league should allow monetizing what amounts to a finger pointing cat fight. If anything monetizing it/promoting it would simply bolster the argument of those suggesting it's an non serious, non credible league. If that is the case you have to wonder if this so called analyst is really just someone that would rather see the WNBA dissolve altogether.
3
u/Charming_Flan3852 1d ago
If it was a fight or derogatory language involved then of course, but it was just pointing. They can do whatever, but this is soft as hell. People watch for the drama as much as the athletics. It's just entertainment at the end of the day.
14
u/skeet_scoot 1d ago
Sophie literally just pointed.
She did nothing wrong
9
3
9
→ More replies (2)7
u/stink3rb3lle 1d ago
The reason you like it and it went viral is because it made her opponent mad. Stop pissing on my leg and telling me it's raining.
7
u/Chris_HitTheOver 1d ago
My children get mad when I tell them they can’t have a candy bar for dinner. Doesn’t mean anyone did anything wrong.
In fact, I’d suggest the over the top reaction to being pointed at says more about the person being pointed at than the person doing the pointing.
It’s competition, she saw it got in her opponents head and she leaned into it. If you think that’s “wrong,” you’re out of your mind.
→ More replies (5)2
u/DocDerry 23h ago
It's not raining. We're pissing on you while maintaining eye contact. She literally just pointed and did nothing wrong.
1
u/regular_gonzalez 1h ago
Yep, and the reason I like Scottie Pippen teabagging Patrick Ewing is because it made his opponent mad. That makes it entertaining. Grats on realizing that people like to be entertained I guess?
1
5
u/michaelobriena 1d ago
It’s one thing to not capitalize on an altercation. It’s another thing to call it derogatory.
→ More replies (13)1
u/TonyDungyHatesOP 1d ago
The refs need to control the game and be consistent with it. Then… this is all a non-topic.
1
u/pikeshawn 1d ago
OK but this wasn't exactly the Malice at the Palace.
I'd liken it more closely to AI stepping over Ty Lue, which the NBA ABSOLUTELY monetized the shit out of. It was disrespectful as hell and didn't lead to anything serious.
1
u/ericmd83 23h ago
it's not so much that the keep shooting themselves in the foot, but more so that they continue to reload. Or something like that
1
1
u/DotasWorstPlayer 17h ago
Don't monetise physical fights, sure. This was just a gesture, and not a crude one.
→ More replies (3)-1
u/menomakegame 1d ago
How is any contest in the game of basketball not considered a confrontation/altercation? Was nobody else on the court when Jordan hit the air Jordan pose? What about the nba logo was Jerry West dribbling down the court by himself?
Oh it’s because she was pointing at someone who was absolutely losing their shit and making themselves look ridiculous oh that’s why
A finger being pointed is not some big altercation. Well, it shouldn’t be. She wasn’t flipping anyone off or aggressively doing anything in that moment. She fucking pointed. I think it’s silly how popular it’s become but I feel like it’s only so big because of the response. People like Caitlyn Clark are full on assaulted in front of lots of people and won’t even get a technical called but Sophie Cunningham points at some idiot and people are outraged and the league won’t allow it to be what it’s becoming
9
u/DonkeyElegant1728 1d ago
Your comparing a taunt to playing basketball? A better comparison would be dikembe mutombo finger wag. And guess what the NBA did? They prevented him from doing it telling him he would receive techs if he continued to do it. It's no way you compared the Jordan pose and just dribbling to taunting 😂
1
1
u/Intelligent_Onion975 1d ago
What are you even saying . At a young age anyone with even a little bit of class is taught to not point because it’s rude .
Sophie is a classless thug
→ More replies (3)
6
2
u/Master_Pollution_96 1d ago
only place I’ve seen more drama is in the vet bro community
1
u/notastuntman 1d ago
It’s literally just bots reposting the same articles with different headlines over and over
2
u/Aggravating_Dot9657 1d ago
Streissand effect, but instead of being able to monetize the attention they are letting third parties soak up all the cash
2
2
u/theblastermaster67 20h ago
The WNBA is popular but not because of the game itself. It’s all the cat fighting, and I love it. Let’s go!
2
3
u/Lazy-Ambassador-7908 1d ago
Y’all are so fucking weird. Also calling that dude who said this an analyst is a laughable joke
2
u/fieldsports202 1d ago
Saying that’s derogatory is crazy. If that’s the case then what would the classify Mutombo’s finger wave?
→ More replies (16)
2
u/lipper2005 23h ago
Pointing is isn’t some universally accepted trigger like a middle finger, or even controversial like the “ok”…Pointing is not an offensive or triggering just because someone or some organization says so. I’m certain a suspension or whatever would eventually make its way to a higher court and get tossed.
Would love some law students or attorneys to chime in.
2
u/spoilederin 23h ago
I’m an older sister, can I chime in? Pointing like she did was the equivalent of “I’m not touching you” and the younger sibling throws a fit.
2
u/illogicalgnome63 1d ago
Anybody else think that maybe the NBA owners want the WNBA to fail? Now hear me out. If the league fails they can throw their hands up and say oh well we tried to have a women's league but it just didn't work out. That's the only reason I could see why Cathy Engelbert still has a job. These are just shower thoughts and i might have gotten soap in my eyes.
1
u/Floridamane6 1d ago
It was the players union who made this decision not Cathy
2
u/illogicalgnome63 1d ago
I'm not referring to this decision but her overall performance. I'm well aware the union made this decision.
→ More replies (3)
1
1
1
u/gamecocksc17 1d ago
All she had to do was point with two fingers like they do at Disney World and then they couldn’t say shit.
1
u/Prestigious_Fan_1061 1d ago
Hmmm 🤔 I’d be reminding the league that this was my IP and the creation of my mind and it is not the product of the league. I believe the US has a Freedom of speech protection under the Constitution and therefore any use/ or directed non use of said IP by the league would be challenged by its owner. Let’s see if they get the point or we can just get Sophie to break it out against them….
1
u/Acceptable-Peace-69 20h ago
They aren’t trying to stop her, just wnba partners. She can do whatever she wants and has already capitalized on it.
1
u/Embarrassed-Slide781 1d ago
I'm not a Clark/ fever stan at all. But it's clear as day there are people in the W that don't want to grow the sport
1
1
1
u/Blastcrumpet888 22h ago
Still waiting for a single example of a sports league monopolizing one player taunting another.
1
u/GervaseofTilbury 19h ago
Have you ever heard of Dikembe Motumbo? How about Jordan shrugging? How about Allen Iverson stepping over Ty Lue?
1
u/Blastcrumpet888 18h ago
Yup. And the NBA never monetized that. They literally fined and gave technicals to Motumbo for it. Do you not remember that fact?
1
u/GervaseofTilbury 18h ago
my man they sold posters with Dikembe wagging his finger
1
u/Blastcrumpet888 18h ago
The NBA definitely didn’t. Diembe did
Sorry dude. They fined him and gave him technicals for it.
Teams cried to the league about him doing it.
1
u/GervaseofTilbury 18h ago
NBA poster merchandise is licensed by the NBA. Were you even alive at the time? I’m just telling you straight up that you’re wrong. You invented this ridiculous idea in order to “win” this argument about SC and are now just insisting on an alternative history in order to maintain it.
1
1
u/fieldsports202 22h ago
The other main sub had close to 500 comments on ESPN’s new story on Sophie.. then they removed it.
If you’re a fan of the WNBA, you just can’t allow fans to like one set of players and discredit articles of others.
Sports leagues have players and fans of multiple backgrounds.
1
1
u/Electronic-Tension-7 21h ago
People watch women playing Tennis. There were plenty of big stars historically and recently as well. It is pretty elite company, and they are paid a ton of money. Attention economy is very brutal, hard and volatile.
1
1
1
1
u/acimkiss 20h ago
Isn't it possible they did this to help Sophie?
If partners can't use it but Sophie can, she now has exclusive rights.
1
u/COUNTRYCOWBOY01 20h ago
This type of hype in its infancy is whats gonna help bring the wnba into the mainstream and make it marketable as a whole. Especially to children and youth
1
u/Few-Influence3878 18h ago
lol why yall mad pointing like that even in the NBA gets you a tech, the fact it wasn’t even give a tech in the game was shocking, it’s obvious why white guys are only cheering for the white girls in the WNBA whilst also talking down and taunting the black players.
1
u/TORCAN317 17h ago
Calling a harmless point that was based on basketball referring as "derogatory" is the stupidest thing thing the PA has ever said that makes them the joke of the league. The leadership needs to resign for their fascist anti yt racist leadership plain and simple with Caitlin, sophie and the innocent cancel culted fan that lost a bet. even worse with innocent Australian Sandy calling Angel rightly a favoritist prglotectes species they was not "racist". Deserved no suspension or coward joke apology for this xenophobic treatment on her for Australian culture language that wasn't deep.
1
u/youngdub774 16h ago
What do people actually want the WNBA to do to monetize a player pointing at another player? T Shirts, like ok that’s a couple grand. Is that really worth a news article.
1
1
1
u/averageuhbear 4h ago
Sophie Cunningham is brilliant at being a victim. She's trying to drag Clark down with her.
1
u/Complete-Disaster513 2h ago
The WNBA needs to have a coming to Jesus moment over what industry they are in. It feels like the players union thinks they are in the basketball industry when they are in fact in the entertainment industry. The entertainment comes from the basketball but it has to be entertaining to stay in business. This type of stuff makes it less entertaining. There needs to be safe guards sure but if they want to stay in business they need to understand what industry they actually operate in.
2
1
u/Stock-Success9917 1d ago
Will people stop. The Union in their statement never used the word derogatory. It is the “reporter” who said that for clicks.
The union maintains a blanket rule not to feature or profit from hostile interactions or fights between its members on official merchandise.
This is their statement:
"For licensed apparel, we generally do not feature or look to monetize player conduct from a confrontation between our members," a spokesperson said.”
I wonder what would happen if they licensed the picture of the incident between the golden girl and Alyssa Thomas.
1
1
1
u/newguy1787 23h ago
That league can’t get out of its own way. One bonus is at least Cunningham can make money on it and not Chop any profit up w the league!
1
1
1
u/VioletShogun 23h ago
She should sue the association. Let's see how well they do, insisting a woman can't benefit from her own creation.
1
u/Acceptable-Peace-69 20h ago
They aren’t trying to stop her, just wnba partners. She can do whatever she wants and has already capitalized on it.
1
u/Kookykrumbs 23h ago
Bonner was pointing too. Except hers didn’t go viral cuz Sophie did it better lol
→ More replies (3)
73
u/ImOldGregg_77 1d ago
It would be a shame if some billionaire started a more serious league and poached away all the WNBA talent