Bench Mob Banter: Sophie Cunningham Roasts WNBA’s $200 Slap on Caitlin Clark..

Bench Mob Banter: Sophie Cunningham Roasts WNBA’s $200 Slap on Caitlin Clark..

In the high-stakes world of WNBA playoffs, where fouls fly faster than fast breaks, Indiana Fever stars Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham are turning sidelined frustration into viral gold. Both nursing season-ending injuries—Clark’s groin issue since July and Cunningham’s from an August clash with the Connecticut Sun—the duo has been the league’s most electric “bench mob.” Their antics peaked during the Fever’s gritty first-round upset over the Atlanta Dream, clinching a 87-85 Game 3 thriller on September 18, 2025, to advance to the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces.

Post-Game 2 blowout (77-60), Clark couldn’t resist shading the zebras on Instagram. Captioning a photo of the Fever’s hyped sideline squad, she quipped, “Refs couldn’t stop us” alongside “Elite bench mob.” The league, ever vigilant, hit back with a $200 fine for public criticism of officials—pocket change for the $10 million-endorsed phenom, but prime meme fuel.

Clark owned it on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday: “Got fined $200 for this lol😂😂😂😂😂 BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! @IndianaFever.” Enter Cunningham, the self-proclaimed enforcer who’s racked up her own fines (like a $500 TikTok slap for defending Clark’s rough treatment). Retweeting Clark, she fired off: “That’s gonna really break the bank for her. Starting a GoFundMe now!”

Fans erupted. “Sophie, you need one too—paying refs’ therapy bills!” one replied. Another: “$200 for ref shade? Use it to buy better whistles.” It’s classic Cunningham: unfiltered, loyal, and a reminder that even injured, these Fever firecrackers outshine the spotlight. As Indy preps for Aces Armageddon, expect more rowdy roasts. Who needs on-court points when you’ve got this chemistry? The WNBA’s fine game just got finessed