Caitlin Clark, the phenom of the WNBA, faces a $200 fine from the league after posting an Instagram comment criticizing referees following the Indiana Fever’s playoff victory over the Atlanta Dream. The post, which was re-shared by both Clark and her teammate Sophie Cunningham, included the statement ‘refs couldn’t stop us’ from a fan account, sparking a viral reaction and raising questions about the league’s handling of her and other players’ interactions with officials.
Clark, who has been sidelined due to season-ending injuries, has been at the center of several controversial referee calls, including a viral moment where she and Cunningham made a demonstrative gesture to officials during a game. The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of Clark and other players by WNBA officials, a topic that has been a point of contention for months. Her teammate Cunningham jokingly suggested that a GoFundMe campaign should be started to help Clark pay the fine, highlighting the ongoing tensions between players and referees.
Clark’s 2025 salary was $78,066, but she has endorsements that dwarf that figure. The relationship between Clark and WNBA officials has been a contentious subject since she came into the league in 2024. Multiple people close to Clark, including Cunningham, Fever Coach Stephanie White and even Clark’s brother have spoken out about questionable treatment of the WNBA phenom by referees. The incident has added to the growing narrative of Clark’s challenges in navigating the WNBA’s officiating landscape.