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Cunningham reveals she talked with Silver about next WNBA commissioner

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham shared that she held multiple conversations with NBA commissioner Adam Silver regarding who should succeed Cathy Engelbert atop the WNBA. Engelbert, whose tenure featured charter flight additions, a fresh collective bargaining deal, and a lucrative media rights agreement, is preparing to step down at the conclusion of the year.

Following a team workout during the FIBA Women's World Cup hiatus, Cunningham praised Silver's guidance and expressed confidence that he will appoint an executive capable of sustaining the competition's ongoing business expansion.

While keeping potential candidates confidential, Cunningham emphasized the necessity for an incoming leader who can foster unity across the league and keep fueling recent momentum. The competition has enjoyed dramatic spikes in viewership, ticket purchases, and merchandise sales since Indiana selected Caitlin Clark first overall in 2024, despite ongoing disputes over physical fouls and executive stewardship.

Cunningham also proposed examining schedule adjustments, such as weighing the removal of consecutive-night games against the length of mid-season intervals tied to player compensation.