Sophie Cunningham States WNBA Needs Commissioner With ‘A Backbone’

Sophie Cunningham is not pulling any punches these days. The Indiana Fever guard says the WNBA needs a commissioner with a backbone, and she said it loud on a recent podcast. She used her time on Theo Von’s show to talk about leadership, salaries, and what really matters to the players. This isn’t just a player venting; it is a clear signal that the league’s top job needs a serious shake-up.

According to Yahoo Sports, Cunningham made these comments during the Wednesday episode of This Past Weekend. She didn’t hold back on the state of the league or the folks running it. After the conclusion of this season, the 30-year-old is heading for unrestricted free agency after completing a one-year, $665,000 contract.

She knows the value of her game, and she knows the value of strong leadership. With Commissioner Cathy Engelbert set to retire at the end of the year, the timing for this talk is perfect.

The Fever’s Playoff Heartbreak

After winning 28 of 44 regular-season games, the Fever were eliminated in the first round by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. On Oct. 1, the Fever’s season concluded for the second consecutive year after Las Vegas defeated Indiana by 11 in Game 3, with A’ja Wilson contributing 36 points. Cunningham responded without hesitation when asked what the Fever lacked: “Shots? Duh.” She said, “We didn’t make our shots,” and added, “Just didn’t play great.”

She said the loss still stings, but a few weeks at home have helped her relax. Yet, the bigger picture is what she is really talking about. The fans are here now, but the front office needs to catch up to the energy.

Why a New Leader Matters

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese led the 2024 rookie class, which Cunningham credited with bringing their college followings along with them. She said, “If you put really any women’s sport on TV, people will fall in love with it.” She stated that the greatest benefit is the availability of role models for young girls who share their appearance and origins. This growth is real, but it needs a leader who can protect it.

She gave Engelbert “a little bit of credit” for the changes, noting the league was much different when she took over. But when asked if the commissioner is just retiring, Cunningham said, “I mean, that’s one way to put it.” She praised Adam Silver as an example. “I think Adam Silver does a phenomenal job of having a relationship with his NBA players,” she said.

The WNBA deserves that same level of connection and strength. If the next leader doesn’t have the spine to stand up for the players, all that new growth could stall out fast. The fans showed up, and the players are ready. Now the league needs to show it has the guts to lead.