Sophie Cunningham is preparing for a return to the court after some time away as the WNBA enjoyed a brief hiatus for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Now that Cunningham and the Indiana Fever are preparing for their next game, a mic is back in front of her face.
As we’ve learned in recent months, Cunningham is never afraid to sound off on whatever is on her mind, and she’s willing to stand ten toes down on her beliefs. But this time, Cunningham was talking less about her own views, but praising another prominent figure in the basketball world.
Cunningham revealed she has spoken to NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the next WNBA commissioner, with the job set to open at the end of the 2026 season after Cathy Engelbert announced she will step down.
She praised Silver’s knowledge, while opening up about what she believes should be a focus of the next commissioner of the booming league.
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Sophie Cunningham Pulls Back Curtain On Adam Silver Chat
Jul 31, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts while speaking at a press conference before a game against the Portland Fire at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
“I have talked to Adam Silver a couple times, and I think he’s a great guy,” Cunningham said earlier this week, via ESPN.com. “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?”
The WNBA commissioner role will become vacant after Cath Engelbert retires at the end of the year, and Silver has often reached out to players about different topics that impact the league. Cunningham says that the conversation came together through her agents, who are close to Silver.
While Cunningham herself is a polarizing figure, she believes the next WNBA commissioner needs to be someone who can bring everyone together.
But, most importantly, she wants someone who will value the players and continue to grow the league.
“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.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) arrives Saturday, July 5, 2025, before a game between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
This season, Cunningham is averaging just 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for the 26-14 Fever, who return to the court in one week on Friday, September 18, following the league’s FIBA Women’s World Cup break.
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