Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham believes that a shift in leadership could positively impact the WNBA’s future.
In a recent conversation with USA Today, Cunningham, who has previously been at the center of discussions about transgender athletes in women’s sports, opened up about her views on commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure. She suggested that Engelbert’s role might be up for grabs by the end of this year’s league activities.
“It’s crucial to have a leader who is courageous, confident, and prioritizes the players’ interests over personal gain,” Cunningham stated. “While I think this role could be available at year’s end, it’s ultimately not my decision to make.”
Engelbert, now in her seventh year steering the WNBA, is currently contracted to serve as commissioner until the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Acknowledging the inherent difficulties of any leadership role, Cunningham highlighted the significance of supportive leadership in fostering players’ development.
“(Cathy Engelbert’s) done a lot of good things, but with where our league is trying to go, I feel like you just want someone who also wants that,” Cunningham said. “That’s just a hard position to be in, in her shoes, us as players ― we always want more, more, more because we see how good it can be, but … that’s up to [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver at the end of the day.”
During a mid-July press conference at NBA Summer League, Silver was noncommittal on Engelbert’s future with the league.
“I think Cathy continues to do a strong job building that league,” Silver said, noting that he didn’t want to speak for Engelbert. “We’ll have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like.”
Silver added that he was “pleased” with the “tremendous progress” made under Engelbert — who was at the helm for a contentious CBA agreement in March, as well as six new expansion teams.
The Golden State Valkyries — the newly announced host for the 2027 WNBA All-Star game — joined the league in 2025.
Both the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire launched in 2026. The Cleveland Sirens are set to begin play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.
Despite the league’s growth, Engelbert came under fire for relationships with players, or lack there of, as well as the handling of social justice issues and treatment of players on and off of the court.
Other players, such as Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, have voiced their displeasure with Engelbert at the helm.