Seven years of uninterrupted leadership at the WNBA ends at the close of 2026, and Sophie Cunningham says she has already been part of the process to shape what comes next. She told reporters she has spoken with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver several times since he took charge of finding a successor to Cathy Engelbert. "Just getting to talk to him and hear his perspective of his approach to the NBA is huge," Cunningham said, describing Silver as "very knowledgeable and full of wisdom."
Engelbert, who became the league's first commissioner in 2019, announced plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than four decades in business. Her tenure included growth in attendance, television audiences, sponsorship revenue, and franchise valuations. She also oversaw an expansion plan that will grow the league from 12 to 18 teams by 2030, along with new media-rights and collective bargaining agreements. Her relationship with players was occasionally strained.
What Cunningham wants from the next hire
Cunningham laid out two priorities. The first is a commitment to building on what she called a booming league. The second is a direct, honest relationship with the players. She said she expects Silver to choose someone who "really wants to take our league to another level" and described open communication with the roster as essential, even when the commissioner and players end up on opposite sides of a decision.
She acknowledged the role carries real constraints. A commissioner works for the owners and will make hard calls that do not go the players' way. But Cunningham's position is that mutual respect bridges those gaps better than agreement on every call. "If you have that open line of communication and that respect level," she said, "it just feels different."
She also cited the league's diversity as a reason the next commissioner will need a unifying approach, saying the WNBA has always been "a place for people to feel safe and comfortable" and that a wide range of backgrounds inside the league makes unity an active task rather than a default. Cunningham declined to speculate on specific candidates. Silver's search continues.