Sophie Cunningham was the subject of a petition calling for her to be ‘banned’ from the WNBA after she hard fouled an opponent last week, but a rival head coach has defended her actions.

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon actually enjoyed seeing Cunningham doing what she did, after she retaliated with a hard foul on a Connecticut Sun player, who had fouled her teammate in Caitlin Clark earlier in the game. Cunningham has received both praise and hate the incident which sparked a brawl before facing a petition to ban her from the game

Cunningham had fouled Jacy Sheldon with just seconds left in the game, having no intention of playing the ball while looking to bring down her opponent – who had fouled Clark on numerous occasions earlier in the game. Clark appeared to be targeted earlier by the Sun and even shoved to the ground by Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey. Cunningham’s actions had clearly been in defense of Clark. It came as a WNBA commentator was humiliated in a bizarre Donald Trump incident live on air.

Speaking on the Clark incident, and how it had been officiated, Hammon explained that the Fever guard will have to get used to hard fouls throughout her career.

She said: “She’s a beast… and she’s just going to continue to get better. But she’s a player who you have to be physical with. If you just follow her around, she’s going to cook you for dinner.”

When asked on her thoughts on Cunningham and her teammates defending her, Hammon admitted that she’s a fan of such actions being allowed. She said: “I think teammates should step in and defend Caitlin.

But at the end of the day… there’s too much bumping, too much grabbing, too much fouling that’s not getting called. And people are tired of getting hit.”

Cunningham has quickly become a fan favorite with the Fever since joining alongside Clark, seeing her jersey now completely sold out following the incident.

Meanwhile, some other fans want her kicked out of the league. In a peculiar petition, a fans group, with 388 signatures, have explained why there’s no place in the league for her actions.

“Cunningham has been involved in numerous incidents that have not only compromised the safety of other players but also tarnished the reputation of the WNBA as a league that prides itself on integrity and fair play,” the petition alleges.

Becky Hammon defended Sophie Cunningham’s actions

The WNBA has always been a beacon of sportsmanship and empowerment, showcasing the talents of incredible athletes who inspire fans around the world… Sophie Cunningham’s aggressive and malicious actions have violated these principles, diminishing the spirit of competition and setting a poor example for aspiring young athletes,” it continued.

“We urge the WNBA to uphold its standards and take firm action against players who repeatedly demonstrate disrespect and aggression toward others. Removing Sophie Cunningham from the league would send a strong message that the WNBA does not tolerate violence or intimidation, ensuring that the court remains a place for celebration, skill, and unity rather than conflict.”