Sophie Cunningham Suggests WNBA Could Want New Commissioner as Cathy Engelbert’s Future Stays Unsure

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has urged that the WNBA may have a brand new commissioner, including recent consideration to the unsure way forward for Cathy Engelbert.

Sophie Cunningham Raises Questions Over Leadership

In an interview with USA Today revealed Wednesday, Cunningham stated the league wants a frontrunner who’s assured, daring and targeted on serving to gamers.

Engelbert’s contract expires after the 2026 season, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated there are ongoing talks about her future.

“You do have to have a person in power who is bold, who is confident, who wants the best for the players and not maybe for themselves all the time,” Cunningham stated. “So I do feel like, as a whole, that could be a position that’s maybe open at the end of the year, but that’s not my call.”

Cunningham additionally made clear that she acknowledges the work Engelbert has performed since changing into commissioner in 2019.

According to the NY Post, the league has grown throughout Engelbert’s time, together with the addition of latest groups and a significant new collective bargaining settlement.

“(Cathy Engelbert’s) done a lot of good things,” Cunningham stated. “But with where our league is trying to go, I feel like you just want someone who also wants that.”

Her feedback come at a time when some WNBA gamers have brazenly questioned the league’s management. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier beforehand criticized Engelbert throughout troublesome collective bargaining talks.

During the 2026 All-Star weekend, different gamers additionally spoke about not having an in depth relationship with the commissioner.

A’ja Wilson Wants Deeper Connection

A’ja Wilson, the four-time MVP, stated she values a deeper reference to a frontrunner. She famous that her relationship with Engelbert had principally concerned receiving awards.

The problem has additionally grown alongside controversy involving Cunningham herself. She grew to become a significant speaking level this season after talking publicly about transgender athletes in girls’s sports activities, CBS reported.

Her feedback led to protests and rallies round Fever video games, whereas Engelbert referred to as for league-wide discussions in regards to the WNBA’s insurance policies.

Cunningham has stated she didn’t arrange the rallies and has additionally requested for consideration to return to basketball. Still, she believes gamers can talk about necessary points whereas additionally specializing in the sport.

“We can be a great example of how to do both,” Cunningham stated.

For now, Engelbert stays in cost. Silver praised her work in July, saying she “continues to do a strong job building that league,” however he didn’t verify whether or not she’s going to stay commissioner.