The WNBA is set for a significant change following the 2026 season after commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her decision to retire at year's end. With NBA commissioner Adam Silver playing a major role in deciding who'll be the next face of the league, it's not surprising to hear that he's making calls around the WNBA to get input from players. One of the players Silver apparently spoke to is Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who gave some insight into their conversation.
Cunningham praised Silver, adding that she's spoken with him "a few times," and explained that she believes the next WNBA commissioner will be someone who can help push the league to another level, as she told ESPN.
"I have talked to Adam Silver a couple times, and I think
he's a great guy," Cunningham said Monday after a Fever practice during the women's FIBA World Cup break. "He was very knowledgeable and full of wisdom, and so getting to talk to him and hear his perspective of how he approaches the NBA is huge, who he's kind of looking for. I think if you want to know the real answers, you go to him.
"But I think he's going to put someone in place who really wants to take our league to another level than it's already at," Cunningham added. "Our league is booming, so why would we not [want] someone who's going to make it even more booming?"
ESPN also highlighted that Cunningham was "more outspoken about the traits and characteristics she wants to see in the WNBA's next leader" but did not name any specific candidates.
Another noteworthy tidbit from Cunningham's comments on the topic and her conversation was that Silver, highlighted her desire for the league to have a commissioner who is "players-first."
"I really do think that you need a commissioner who is players-first, who wants a relationship with their players," Cunningham said. "I think that's so important. That doesn't mean we're always going to get along and we're always going to agree. Like, they have a job, they work for the owners, and so they're going to have to make hard decisions. But if you have that open line of communication and that respect level, I think that it just feels different. I think that is a very important piece for our new commissioner."
Many names have already been linked as potential candidates, or at least some that players and fans are hopeful to see in the mix. This includes Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who is the current WNBPA president, former UConn and WNBA standout Swin Cash and NBA deputy commissioner and COO Mark Tatum, among several others.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What Sophie Cunningham told Adam Silver about the WNBA's next commissioner
