Sophie Cunningham called on WNBA media to tell more positive stories while discussing what she wants from the league's next commissioner.
The No Hesitation Show posted a clip Tuesday of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham laying out what she wants from the next commissioner of the WNBA, 11 days after Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire from the job.
Cunningham co-hosts the weekly podcast with Drew Hanlen, the player development trainer and Pure Sweat Basketball CEO. It is distributed through The Volume and iHeartPodcasts, with new episodes released on Thursdays.
Engelbert's retirement takes effect Dec. 31. She became the league's first commissioner in 2019, and the WNBA is in its 30th season. Multiple sources told ESPN the search for her replacement would begin later this month, if not sooner. Engelbert told The Associated Press she had spent the past year working on a succession plan that includes internal and external candidates.
Cunningham Calls on WNBA Media to Tell Positive Stories
Cunningham said players already have the visibility, and that the next step falls on the people covering the league as much as on whoever replaces Engelbert.
"We are very blessed to be dribbling an orange basketball for a living, but it's all about inspiring the next generation to continue this league to be the greatest of them all," Cunningham said. "And so all one little girl needs is to see someone who looks like them, who maybe grew up where they grew up, maybe who has the same personality or has the same style. It's all about visibility. And so I do think that we are getting to have that visibility."
"But now it's on the WNBA media to actually tell the good stories, to tell the positive stories, to actually talk about basketball and how freaking awesome our league is playing this year," Cunningham continued. "Like, history is being made this year. Yeah, that's history getting made every year, but this year alone, people are playing at a very, very high level."
"And so I think, yes, a lot is on the commissioner, and maybe they set the tone for it," Cunningham added. "But it's also in all of us who are part of the WNBA community to do our part, to make it a positive experience for everybody."
Cunningham Wants Next Commissioner to Unite League
"We talk about getting to know players and telling their stories, and you get half the people who are like, 'Stick to basketball,'" Cunningham noted. "And then you get the other half of like, 'No, we want to know more.' And it's like, screw all those opinions."
"Let us be us. Like, we are known for being inclusive, of being diverse," Cunningham continued. "And I just think having someone at the head of the snake of allowing everyone be their true selves, but also uniting everyone, that's what we need. We need someone who is bold and confident and able to pull people together."
The WNBA commissioner reports to NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Silver was the one who announced Engelbert's decision on Sept. 4.
Hanlen told Cunningham she was ready to be the commissioner herself.
"That's what I'm saying," Cunningham said. "Adam, call me."
Last Thursday, in the show's debut episode, Cunningham said she should be the commissioner. Her first move, she said, would be making sure every team has a functional practice facility.
Cunningham said some teams practice at YMCAs, sharing a court with youth camps and separated only by a curtain, and that "a couple of teams" do not have a weight room. She also said the Fever are getting a new facility next year.
Cunningham Expands Media Role
No Hesitation replaced Show Me Something, the podcast Cunningham hosted with West Wilson. That show had been on pause since July 1. Sources told Front Office Sports that its contract had expired.
On Sunday, Cunningham worked as an athlete contributor on USA Network's coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. She spent the day on pit road and at the network's desk alongside Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett. Cunningham has also worked as a WNBA analyst.
The WNBA schedule has been paused for the FIBA Women's World Cup. Team USA beat France 97-79 in the final, and Breanna Stewart became the first player to win World Cup MVP twice.
Cunningham, 30, is from Columbia, Missouri, and played at Missouri. Phoenix took her in the second round of the 2019 draft with the 13th overall pick, and she spent six seasons with the Mercury before joining Indiana in 2025.
A torn MCL in her right knee ended her 2025 season. She returned to the Fever on a one-year deal.
This season, Cunningham is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Indiana is 26-14 and has clinched a playoff berth. The Fever are tied with the Atlanta Dream for the best record in the Eastern Conference. They last played Aug. 28, beating the Connecticut Sun 111-91.
The Fever resume the regular season Friday at the Toronto Tempo at 7:30 p.m. ET. They host the Washington Mystics on Sunday, then face the Minnesota Lynx at home Sept. 22 and in Minneapolis on Sept. 24.
