In the chaotic aftermath of a highly physical WNBA matchup where Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever was ejected for a hard foul on a Connecticut Sun player, explicitly in defense of teammate Caitlin Clark, Cunningham delivered an Instagram message that perfectly encapsulated the moment and resonated with legions of fans. It wasn’t a lengthy apology or a fiery diatribe; instead, it was a masterclass in social media savvy, wit, and subtle defiance that immediately went viral.
The incident that led to Cunningham’s ejection unfolded on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a contentious game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun. The contest was already simmering with intensity, characterized by aggressive defense and escalating physicality, particularly around Caitlin Clark. Earlier in the game, Sun guard Jacy Sheldon had poked Clark in the eye, and moments later, Marina Mabrey appeared to deliberately shove Clark to the floor. While fouls and technicals were called, many fans and even the Fever coaching staff felt that Clark was not being adequately protected by the referees.
As the fourth quarter wound down, and with the Fever holding a comfortable lead, Sophie Cunningham took matters into her own hands. In a clear act of retaliation, she committed a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon as Sheldon drove to the basket. Cunningham wrapped her arms around Sheldon, pulling her to the ground. The play immediately sparked a scuffle involving multiple players from both teams. The officials quickly intervened, assessing Cunningham with a Flagrant 2 foul, which resulted in her automatic ejection from the game. She was also later fined $400 by the WNBA for the Flagrant 2 and received an additional undisclosed fine for her participation in the altercation.
Rather than shrinking from the spotlight or issuing a boilerplate statement, Sophie Cunningham, known for her “Spicy Sophie” persona, leveraged her social media platform to deliver a message that instantly became iconic. Just hours after the game, she took to Instagram with a photo of herself, arms outstretched, a slight smile on her face, almost as if shrugging. The accompanying caption, though brief, was loaded with meaning.
While the exact words of the “ideal Instagram message” were not a lengthy text, it was the combination of the image and her subsequent public comments and TikToks that created the full “message.” Her initial Instagram story post, which quickly circulated across social media, showed her with her arms open wide, almost looking like, “Well, what did you expect?” or “I did what I had to do.” It was a subtle, yet powerful, visual declaration of no regrets.
This visual message was then perfectly complemented by a TikTok video she posted shortly after, which gained millions of views. In the video, Cunningham lip-synced to a popular audio snippet from Selena Gomez’s song “Hands to Myself,” specifically the lyrics: “I can’t keep my hands to myself—I mean I could, but why would I want to?”
She accompanied the TikTok with a caption that further clarified her playful defiance: “It’s a joke… the sound was too fitting! Happy game day #fyp.”
This was the “ideal Instagram message” in its entirety – a multi-platform, perfectly timed, and incredibly self-aware response that achieved several key things:
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Acknowledged the Incident Without Apologizing: She didn’t deny her actions or apologize for them. Instead, she implicitly justified them through humor and a sense of inevitability. The “why would I want to?” line brilliantly conveyed her protective instinct.
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Cemented Her “Enforcer” Status: The message solidified her role as Caitlin Clark’s “bodyguard” and the team’s enforcer, a persona that had been rapidly building among fans. It showed she embraced this identity.
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Connected with the Fans: Her authentic, relatable, and humorous approach resonated deeply with fans, particularly those who felt Clark was being unfairly targeted. They saw a player who was willing to stand up for her teammate, and who wasn’t afraid to be herself. This led to her TikTok following surging by over 530,000, ultimately passing the million-follower mark, and her Instagram gaining hundreds of thousands of followers. Her jersey also promptly sold out.
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Showcased Her Personality: Beyond the basketball court, Cunningham’s social media presence has always been a way for her personality to shine. This moment was no exception, highlighting her wit, confidence, and competitive spirit.
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Maintained Team Cohesion: By publicly and defiantly defending Clark, Cunningham sent a strong message of solidarity within the Fever locker room. It showed that she had her teammates’ backs, fostering a sense of unity.
In subsequent media appearances, Cunningham elaborated on her stance, further solidifying her message. She openly placed some blame on the referees for allowing the physicality to escalate. “I think the refs had a lot to do with that,” she stated. “It was a build up for a couple years now of them just not, not protecting the star player of the WNBA. And so at the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates. That’s what I do. And I’m a team player.”1 This candidness further endeared her to the public, as she voiced a common frustration among fans and even other players and coaches in the league.
Sophie Cunningham’s Instagram message, combined with her follow-up TikTok and media comments, wasn’t just a reaction to a single game. It was a perfectly executed strategy that transformed a $400 fine into a “million-dollar moment” in terms of brand exposure, fan engagement, and newfound celebrity. It demonstrated her understanding of the modern media landscape and her ability to connect with an audience hungry for authentic, passionate athletes.
