“It’s Just Too Much”: Sophie Cunningham Speaks Out on Caitlin Clark Being Targeted in the WNBA

Indiana Fever veteran Sophie Cunningham is speaking up — and she’s had enough. In the debut episode of her new podcast Show Me Something, Cunningham addressed what many fans and analysts have noticed: the unusually aggressive treatment that her teammate, Caitlin Clark, has faced since entering the WNBA.

“You have seen players in our league try and toughen up Caitlin,” Cunningham said, reflecting on her experience both as a former opponent and now as Clark’s teammate. “Even when I wasn’t on her team, I know the talks that Phoenix had in the locker room. ‘We’re going to show her what the W really is.’”

This candid revelation confirms what fans have long suspected — that some players have taken it upon themselves to “welcome” Clark to the league with physical, and at times excessive, contact.

Cunningham acknowledges that some degree of rough play is expected, especially for rookies:
“Every rookie coming into the league, that’s how you’re going to treat them,” she said. “But there’s just more for her.”

Caitlin Clark, who has become one of the most talked-about figures in women’s basketball, continues to draw national attention not just for her incredible shooting and court vision, but also for the way she’s been targeted during games — from hard fouls to off-ball physicality. While some argue it’s part of the learning curve for any young star, others see it as excessive and possibly fueled by her popularity and the spotlight she brings.

Now that Cunningham shares a locker room with Clark, she sees the issue from a much closer perspective — and her stance is clear. “Now, being on her team and seeing it, what are people doing? It’s just too much.”

Cunningham’s remarks add to the ongoing conversation about how female athletes — especially high-profile ones like Clark — are treated as they transition into the pros. While competitiveness is part of the game, many are questioning whether the line has been crossed in Clark’s case.

This isn’t the first time Fever players are making waves beyond the court. Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston, also recently entered the podcasting world, co-hosting Post Moves with WNBA legend Candace Parker — giving fans another inside look into the lives and thoughts of today’s rising stars.

With the spotlight brighter than ever on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, Cunningham’s comments may spark even deeper reflection across the league. How far is too far when it comes to “toughening up” rookies? And what does this say about the culture of the WNBA as it grows?

As Cunningham puts it — it’s time to ask, “What are people doing?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoAP_L3Ao20&t=2s