Sophie Cunningham's viral moment won't be monetized by WNBA union
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 21, 2026, 1:46 AM
Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Sophie Cunningham's gesture during a late-June altercation between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury has captured widespread attention, even leading to a White House post. However, the WNBA Players Association announced it will not allow the monetization of this incident through official merchandise. The union prohibits the creation of apparel featuring conflicts among its players, ensuring that neither the WNBA nor any licensees will profit from it. Cunningham retains the right to create her own merchandise that depicts her moment, provided it does not include WNBA branding. Currently, it remains uncertain whether she will take advantage of this opportunity, although she has been actively promoting herself since joining the Fever.
- •Cunningham's gesture gained national attention, including a White House video.
- •The WNBPA will not profit from merchandise featuring confrontations between players.
- •Cunningham can independently monetize her gesture without WNBA branding.
- •She has enhanced her marketability with projects like a podcast and a startup deal.
- 10:22 AMYahoo Sports — Sophie Cunningham’s viral point faces new obstacle from WNBA player union
- 1:46 AMYahoo Sports — Why WNBA union won’t monetize Sophie Cunningham’s viral point (but she can)
"The image of Sophie Cunningham pointing at DeWanna Bonner during a late-June scuffle between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury is inescapable. Even the White House posted a video featuring Cunningham’s gesture. But don’t expect the WNBA Players Association to get in on the action. The union’s policy, as conveyed to The Athletic, is not to create any apparel that features a confrontation between members of the union. The WNBPA would also not grant an outside entity the right to use the li
"Sophie Cunningham’s controversial pointing gesture has been one of the most viral visuals to come out of the WNBA, but don’t expect it to be on any T-shirts or cups any time soon. Cunningham pointed at DeWanna Bonner during a heated altercation when the Indiana Fever played the Phoenix Mercury, and the image quickly circulated across the internet.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 10:22 AMSophie Cunningham’s viral point faces new obstacle from WNBA player union
Sophie Cunningham’s controversial pointing gesture has been one of the most viral visuals to come out of the WNBA, but don’t expect it to be on any T-shirts or cups any time soon. Cunningham pointed at DeWanna Bonner during a heated altercation when the Indiana Fever played the Phoenix Mercury, and the image quickly circulated across the internet.
- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 1:46 AMWhy WNBA union won’t monetize Sophie Cunningham’s viral point (but she can)
The image of Sophie Cunningham pointing at DeWanna Bonner during a late-June scuffle between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury is inescapable. Even the White House posted a video featuring Cunningham’s gesture. But don’t expect the WNBA Players Association to get in on the action. The union’s policy, as conveyed to The Athletic, is not to create any apparel that features a confrontation between members of the union. The WNBPA would also not grant an outside entity the right to use the li
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