WNBPA bans Sophie Cunningham viral gesture on merchandise
The WNBPA is prohibiting official licensees from using Sophie Cunningham's viral finger-point gesture on merchandise, saying it will not monetize confrontations between members. Cunningham can still license the moment through her own NIL rights. Sophie Cunningham Sports Illustrated buzz keeps growing even as official merch stays off-limits.
Key Takeaways
- The Women's National Basketball Players Association will not let official licensees put Sophie Cunningham's viral pointing image on licensed apparel or products.
- Union partners including 2K, Panini, Lids, and BreakingT are barred from selling the gesture under group licensing.
- Cunningham remains free to monetize the moment herself through individual NIL deals, even with brands that partner with the union.
- The June 24 finger-point at DeWanna Bonner during Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury became a global meme, boosting Cunningham by nearly one million Instagram followers.
- It is not clear whether Cunningham plans to independently license merchandise featuring the pose.
Why did the WNBPA ban the gesture on merchandise?
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's pointed stare-down with Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner during a heated June 24 matchup became one of sports' biggest viral moments. The image exploded into memes used by celebrities, athletes, and even an official White House social account.
According to Front Office Sports, the WNBPA is prohibiting licensees from using that image on products. Sports business reporter Darren Rovell reported the union described the gesture as "derogatory." The union did not deny that report and told Front Office Sports: "For licensed apparel, we generally do not feature or look to monetize player conduct from a confrontation between our members."
That policy matters because the union's group licensing deal lets brand partners use players' name, image, and likeness without negotiating player by player. Cutting the pose from that pipeline keeps confrontation imagery off official shelves.
Can Sophie Cunningham still make money from the meme?
Yes. The ban hits official WNBPA licensees, not Cunningham's personal rights. The union told Front Office Sports that players are free to create and/or license their own product. She can still sign individual sponsorships, including with brands that also partner with the union.
Yahoo Sports reported partners such as 2K, Panini, Lids, and BreakingT cannot sell products featuring the image under the union's licensing rules. Separately, any brand wanting WNBA team logos would need league approval, not the union's. The league did not immediately respond to Front Office Sports' request for comment.
As of the latest reporting, it remains unclear whether Cunningham intends to independently monetize the viral moment. A representative for Cunningham did not immediately respond to Front Office Sports.
How did the pointing moment become so viral?
Cunningham and Bonner, briefly Fever teammates last season, pointed at one another during an on-court scuffle after Bonner and Fever star Caitlin Clark were tied up. Earlier in that game, Alyssa Thomas—Bonner's teammate and fiancé—struck Clark in the throat and was later retroactively suspended.
Cunningham has leaned into the fame. She recreated the gesture with UFC star Max Holloway at UFC 329 and brushed off the White House share on July 3, saying everyone around the world was posting it and she "didn't really think twice about it."
On the court, Yahoo Sports notes she is enjoying one of the best stretches of her eight-year career, averaging 9.4 points through 25 games while the Fever sit 16-10. Off the court, her rising profile showed again on July 19, when she hosted a youth basketball camp for grades 1–8 in Carmel, Indiana. For more odd sports-world fallout, browse BlasterPost's Bizarre News & Florida Man desk.