Sophie Cunningham speaks the truth about what WNBA's next head should change immediately

The WNBA ’s next commissioner will inherit a league with more money, visibility and momentum than at almost any point in its history. Sophie Cunningham believes that will not matter nearly as much as whether the person in charge can actually connect with the players.

With Cathy Engelbert expected to step down at the end of 2026, Cunningham used the debut episode of her new No Hesitation podcast to outline what she wants from the next person in the job.

“It definitely has to be someone who is in great communication with the players because, at the end of the day, we should be joining forces,” Cunningham said.

“We should be working together to grow this league to the best of its ability, and I really do think the sky is the limit when we work together.”

The Indiana Fever guard then described interactions with league leadership that she found far more uncomfortable than confrontational.

“Under previous people who were leading, we would be in the same room with each other… we wouldn’t even say hi, and there would only be like five people in the room,” she said. “Is that not weird or awkward? Just be friendly, just be a human.”

Respect matters more than agreement

Cunningham didn't suggest the commissioner should simply give players whatever they want.

She acknowledged that the WNBA is a business, that ownership groups have invested heavily in its growth and that tension between players and the league office is inevitable.

“I understand that they pretty much work for these billionaires who make a lot of money, and they’ve invested a lot of money in us players and in this league,” Cunningham said.

“And so, we’re not always going to be getting along, but I do think knowing that this new commissioner is going to be for the players and there’s going to be a direct line of communication.”

That distinction is central to her argument. Cunningham appears less concerned with eliminating disagreements than with making sure those disagreements happen inside a relationship built on openness rather than distance.

“We’re not always going to agree, but I think there’s a level of respect that you can have, and just being a human and being friendly and nice,” she added. “I think that’s a really good start.”

Next commissioner inherits both growth and mistrust

Engelbert ’s tenure has coincided with major progress for the WNBA, including rising attendance, stronger television audiences and a significant new media-rights agreement.

At the same time, her relationship with players has repeatedly come under scrutiny.

In 2024, the WNBPA publicly pushed back after Engelbert was criticized for not directly condemning the harassment surrounding the Caitlin Clark - Angel Reese rivalry.

A year later, Napheesa Collier delivered a wider criticism of league leadership over issues including officiating, compensation and communication. Engelbert later acknowledged the problem herself.

“If the players in the ‘W’ don’t feel appreciated and value from the league, we have to do better and I have to do better,” she said.

That leaves the next commissioner with a difficult balance to strike: continuing the league’s commercial rise while repairing trust with the people on the floor.

Cunningham ’s message is that the starting point doesn't need to be complicated. Talk to the players. Respect them. And when they are standing in the same room, at least say hello.