Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has engaged in conversations with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding the impending search for the WNBA's new leader. Silver reached out to Cunningham for her perspective as current commissioner Cathy Engelbert prepares to retire at the end of the year.
"I have talked to Adam Silver a couple times, and I think he's a great guy," Cunningham stated after a recent practice. "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."
Cunningham expressed confidence in Silver's ability to select a successor who will elevate the league. "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," she added. "Our league is booming, so why would we not (want) someone who's going to make it even more booming?"
While the NBA has declined to comment on the specifics of Silver and Cunningham's discussions, Cunningham was candid about the attributes she hopes to see in the WNBA's next commissioner. She emphasized the need for a leader who can unite the league's diverse stakeholders.
"I think the WNBA has always been a place for people to feel safe and comfortable. I think there's all types of walks in this organization, or in this league, which I think is absolutely awesome," Cunningham said. "But I do think with that you need someone who's going to unite everybody because it can be so different. But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. I think it makes it a lot of fun."
Cunningham also highlighted the importance of a commissioner committed to player relations and the league's continued growth. She noted the significant increase in ticket sales, merchandise, television ratings, and overall interest in the WNBA, particularly since the drafting of Caitlin Clark in 2024. This growth has occurred alongside discussions about game intensity and Engelbert's leadership, despite her accomplishments, which include a new television contract, a collective bargaining agreement, and the implementation of charter flights for teams.
"The biggest thing Cunningham is looking for is someone who values the players," she stated. "I really do think that you need a commissioner who is players' first, who wants a relationship with their players. 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."
Cunningham believes that an open line of communication and a high level of respect are crucial for the new commissioner. She also stressed the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and understanding diverse perspectives within the league.
"You continue to have a growth mindset and see other people's walks of life and really get to know why they are the way they are, and I think that's truly fun," she said. "Like you are playing the best basketball, you're in the best league in the entire world and you're getting to learn so much about who you are as a human, how other people are as a human. But with all that, with all the diversity you do need someone who's going to unite our league and have a common goal and get us all on the same page. I think that's super important."
The Indiana Fever are set to resume play on Friday in Toronto, awaiting the return of All-Stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, along with coach Stephanie White, who were part of the United States' gold-medal winning team at the World Cup.