Sophie Cunningham Vows to Put WNBA ‘On the Right Track’ as Commissioner

There is no doubt now that Sophie Cunningham does not hesitate to say whatever she has on her mind. This season has been all about whatever she has said, and the fallout from it.

Her statement about trans athletes and how she wants to protect women’s sports by keeping the ‘men’ away from it has opened a can of worms that no one in the league currently knows how to put the lid on.

She has tried to deflect the discourse by shifting the blame to the media, but many believe that not addressing those who have fanned the flames of the WNBA’s eligibility discourse has added to the mess.

Then there are the times when the Missouri native openly criticized the league’s officiating and even Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. When renowned trainer and new podcast co-host Drew Hanlen asked her what Cunningham would do if she were the next Commissioner, she replied:

Honestly, the more I think about it, I think I should be the commissioner. I could get this on the right track!

Sophie Cunningham said

The 30-year-old pointed out how there are still teams in the league who do not provide the basic facilities for their players. There have been changes, but she noted that some owners are still being ‘cheap.’

Cunningham acknowledged that a Commissioner essentially works for the billionaire owners. But also remarked that whoever takes Engelbert’s place should be bold enough to face problems and come up with solutions.

The Indiana Fever superstar jokingly suggested that she wants to be the Commissioner since she is a long way from finishing her playing career. At the same time, she made it clear what she expects from the next person who takes the top post.

Sabrina Ionescu adds her two cents on what the next Commissioner should do

Since the WNBA is in the midst of its World Cup break, reporters and others want to talk to players about their opinion on who the next commissioner should be. When Sabrina Ionescu was at a women’s sports convention hosted by Sportico, the host asked the Liberty star about her opinion.

As players, we wanna to continue build a really good relationship with our commissioner. That’s definitely a priority. Somebody who obviously puts the players first, the league first.

Sabrina Ionescu replied

That was as mild as she could put it, considering that the 2024 champion has not minced her words before about how Cathy Engelbert or the WNBA have been functioning.

Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) speaks on the direction she’d like to see the new @WNBA commissioner take as well as the launch of her newest shoe. pic.twitter.com/ZQXXgujQrW

— Sportico (@Sportico) September 10, 2026

Ionescu’s words make it clear that she wants the next leader of the WNBA to be someone who builds a relationship with players and acts according to what is needed for the league to grow.

Sophie Cunningham ends podcast collaboration with close friend

Sophie Cunningham brought on Drew Hanlen as her new podcast co-host after a near three-month hiatus. The former second-round pick landed a podcast deal with Colin Cowherd‘s The Volume after her fame blew up.

At the time, childhood friend West Wilson was the co-host on what was named ‘Show Me Something.’ However, that collaboration ended when Wilson publicly countered his friend’s opinion on trans athletes and women’s sports.

That, and other controversies in Wilson’s career, probably led to this complete rebrand. Sophie Cunningham brought in Hanlen as he has helped her improve her jump shot. The Fever star is reaping the benefits, posting the league’s third-best efficiency from beyond the arc.

Hanlen might be a controversial name in some basketball circles, but he is still highly regarded among players. It is possible that his decision to become a podcaster may have come after others criticized him on their platforms.

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