INDIANAPOLIS — Sophie Cunningham’s viral confrontation with her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, became one of the WNBA’s most talked-about moments this season.
But the viral moment won’t be permitted to be monetized by the WNBPA’s partner brands.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) points to Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) after an argument broke out Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The moment came when the Indiana Fever guard and the Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner got into a verbal dispute at midcourt during the teams’ matchup in late June. As the two exchanged words, Cunningham pointed at Bonner and continued to do so for several seconds — long enough for fans to capture the moment on video and spread it across social media.
It drew widespread attention even outside the WNBA, with the White House turning the clip into its own meme. The popularity of the moment also sparked questions about whether it could become licensed merchandise or other commercial products.
The WNBPA said league partner brands won’t be able to capitalize on the incident commercially, noting that it generally does not “feature or look to monetize player conduct from a confrontation between our members.” Cunningham, however, is free to pursue her own licensing or endorsement agreements through her individual name, image and likeness rights.
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The moment is especially notable because it came against the franchise that drafted and developed Cunningham.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) points at Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) as an argument broke out between the two players on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
She spent the first six seasons of her WNBA career with the Mercury before being traded to the Indiana Fever ahead of the 2025 season. Since then, matchups between the Fever and Mercury have carried added intrigue, making the confrontation more significant than a typical in-game exchange. For it to come against Bonner adds even more to the history, as both were briefly teammates last year before Bonner rejoined Phoenix midseason.
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That history helped fuel the clip’s rapid spread across social media, turning it into one of the league’s defining viral moments of the season.
Jul 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates after defeating the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
