The WNBA is preparing for a change in leadership, with Cathy Engelbert set to step down as commissioner after the 2026 season. Engelbert has overseen a period of significant growth for the league, but attention is now turning toward who could take over the role. Several potential candidates have already been discussed, and the league’s biggest players could have an important voice in deciding what comes next.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has already made it clear what she believes should be the next commissioner’s biggest priority. Rather than focusing solely on the league’s continued growth, Cunningham stressed the importance of bringing players and teams together. Her comments come at a crucial time for the WNBA, as the search for Engelbert’s successor gets underway and the league looks toward its next chapter.
Sophie Cunningham Calls for Unity as WNBA Prepares for Life After Cathy Engelbert
The WNBA is preparing for a major leadership change after Cathy Engelbert announced that she will step down as commissioner following the 2026 season. Engelbert’s tenure has coincided with a significant rise in the league’s profile, including major business growth and an ambitious expansion plan. With the search for her replacement now underway, several potential candidates have already entered the conversation. WNBA players could also have a say in the direction the league takes, and Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has already made it clear what she wants from the next commissioner.
Asked about the kind of leader she believes should take over, Cunningham pointed to one quality above everything else: the ability to bring people together. “The WNBA has always been a place for people to feel safe and comfortable. I think there’s all types of walks in this league, which I think is absolutely awesome, but I think you need someone who is going to unite everybody.” Her comments come at a time when the league continues to attract unprecedented attention, while disagreements among players, fans and other stakeholders have become increasingly visible.
Cunningham’s call for unity is particularly notable because she has never been reluctant to voice her own opinions. The Fever guard has spoken openly on several league issues and has also defended teammate Caitlin Clark when the former No. 1 pick has faced criticism. That history gives Cunningham’s message about the next commissioner an added layer, especially as the WNBA looks for a leader capable of respecting different viewpoints while still creating a sense of togetherness.
WNBA’s Next Commissioner Faces Call for Unity and Better Player Relations
Engelbert’s departure was announced on September 4, 2026, as the FIBA Women’s World Cup was getting underway. Since taking over in 2019, she has overseen a media rights agreement worth more than $3 billion, helped deliver a new collective bargaining agreement that introduced million-dollar salaries and revenue sharing, and guided an expansion strategy that is expected to grow the league from 12 teams to 18 by 2030. At the same time, her tenure was not without friction, with tensions between the league office and players becoming particularly evident during recent CBA negotiations.
That backdrop helps explain why Cunningham’s comments carry significance. She has also been candid about what she believes was missing from Engelbert’s relationship with the players. Speaking on the Colin Cowherd podcast, Cunningham said, “We want a commissioner who wants to engage with our players. If we were in a room and she walked in, she wouldn’t even say hi to us,” and added, “She would just go do her own thing. It’s like, this is a players league. So have a relationship with your players, be in communication.” Her message is that commercial success alone is not enough; the league’s leadership also needs to maintain a genuine connection with its players.
As the WNBA begins its search for Engelbert’s successor, Cunningham’s expectations are clear. She wants someone who can preserve the league’s openness and continued growth while bringing together players with different personalities, opinions and priorities. The next commissioner will inherit a WNBA that is bigger and more visible than ever before, but Cunningham believes the challenge will be making sure all those voices continue moving toward the same goal.
