Over the last month, Sophie Cunningham’s viral point at DeWanna Bonner has become one of the most recognizable memes in sports. But while the image has spread across social media, the WNBPA doesn’t want its official business partners selling it.
The WNBPA is “prohibiting licensees” from using the image of Cunningham’s point in their products, according to sports business reporter Darren Rovell, who said the union called Cunningham’s gesture “derogatory.”
The WNBPA did not deny Rovell’s report to Front Office Sports. “For licensed apparel, we generally do not feature or look to monetize player conduct from a confrontation between our members,” a spokesperson said.
The union has dozens of licensed brands ranging from video game company 2K, apparel companies Breaking T and Lids, and sports cards brand Panini.
But the union’s decision does not prohibit Cunningham from monetizing from the incident herself—even with brands that are union partners.
