Indiana Fever wing Sophie Cunningham has rebranded her podcast: “No Hesitation” with Sophie Cunningham & Drew Hanlen. The goal of the rebrand is to talk more basketball and that included a discussion on the retirement of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the end of the year.
“The more I think about it, I think I should be commissioner,” Cunningham said with a laugh. “I think I could get this (expletive) on the right track.”
Advertisement
Engelbert has been commissioner for a transformational collective bargaining agreement prior to this season, overseen explosive attendance growth with Caitlin Clark’s arrival and helped the league expand to 18 teams, up six, by 2030.
But this season has brought increased scrutiny. There were opportunities to weigh in on important topics sooner, including the recent announcement by former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White that they’d declare for the WNBA draft challenging the transgender debate sparked by Cunningham’s comments that began in an ESPN profile.
Buy Fever tickets
1 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) poses for a photo Wednesday, April 22, 2026, during media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
1 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) poses for a photo Wednesday, April 22, 2026, during media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
2 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) poses for a photo Wednesday, April 22, 2026, during media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
3 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 9: Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever reacts during the first half against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 9, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Michael Hickey, Getty Images)
4 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
poses for a photo Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
5 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham speaks during Indiana Fever’s media day Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
6 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
poses for a photo Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
7 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham during WNBA training camp, April 29, 2025.
(Courtesy of Indiana Fever)
8 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham defends during Indiana Fever training camp, April 29, 2025.
(Courtesy of Indiana Fever)
9 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham is all smiles during Fever training camp April 29, 2005.
(Courtesy of Indiana Fever)
10 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever President of Basketball and Business Operations, Kelly Krauskopf, and Indiana Fever COO and General Manager, Amber Cox, introduced guard Sophie Cunningham to the media on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
(Clark Wade/IndyStar, Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
11 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham meets with the media on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
(Clark Wade/IndyStar)
12 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court against Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) on Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)
13 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 03: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a portrait during the WNBA media day at Footprint Center on May 03, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
14 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 18: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury walks the orange carpet during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend at Phoenix Convention Center on July 18, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
15 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) shoots against Sparks guard Kia Nurse (10) during a game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Friday, June 28, 2024.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
16 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham speaks to members of the media at Player 15 HQ in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2024.
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 30: Guard Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury fouls guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second quarter at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)
18 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) rushes after the ball against Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) and Indiana Fever forward Katie Lou Samuelson (33) on Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 95-86.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
19 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham speaks to members of the media at Player 15 HQ in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2024.
(Diannie Chavez/The Republic)
20 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) is introduced before the game against the Connecticut Sun on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
(Owen Ziliak/The Republic)
21 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
(Owen Ziliak/The Republic)
22 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 07: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts after a three-point shot against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center on June 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
23 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 16: Natasha Cloud #0 and Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrate after a play during the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
24 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever passes the ball around Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Aug. 16, 2024 in Indianapolis.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
25 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
July 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.; Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (L-R), center Brittney Griner and guard Natasha Cloud pose for a picture during the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
(Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic)
26 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham hugs one of her head coach Nate Tibbett’s daughters during the WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
27 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 19: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury competes in the Kia Skills Challenge ahead of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center on July 19, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776176811 ORIG FILE ID: 2162734181
(Getty Images)
28 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) takes part in the WNBA All-Star Game Skills Challenge at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Friday, July 19, 2024.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
29 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
July 19: Phoenix Mercury star Sophie Cunningham is introduced before the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
(Mark J. Rebilas, TODAY Sports)
30 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham, from the Phoenix Mercury, attends the WNBA’s Changemaker Day event at Parsons Leadership Center at Camp South Mountain in Phoenix on July 18, 2024.
(Diannie Chavez/The Republic)
31 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 09: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center on May 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
32 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 24: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles against the Seattle Storm during the first quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on June 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
33 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) on the bench prior to a game against the Mystics at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
34 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 09: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center on May 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
35 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Mercury Sophie Cunningham (9) shoots in warmups prior to the home opener at the Footprint Center on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
36 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Former Missouri women’s basketball star Sophie Cunningham waves to the crowd during a college football game against South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
(Abigail Landwehr/Tribune)
37 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
Mar 8, 2019; Greenville, SC, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Sophie Cunningham (3) celebrates with teammates Lauren Aldridge (5) and Jordan Roundtree (22) during the first half of game eight against the Kentucky Wildcats in the women’s SEC Conference Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
(Joshua S. Kelly, Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports)
38 / 38
Through the years: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 24: Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Cunningham said the first thing she’d do as commissioner is make sure every team has a “functional practice facility.”
Advertisement
“The tides are turning,” she said, noting the Fever’s coming practice facility, “but there are a lot of owners who are very cheap and not giving us professional athletes what we need.”
Cunningham clarified that she doesn’t want to be commissioner now − but didn’t close the door on it in the future − acknowledged how difficult the position is and shared what she feels is a current issue.
“Definitely has to be someone with great communication with the players, because at the end of the day we should be joining forces,” she said. “We should be working together to grow this league to the best of its ability. The sky’s the limit when we work together.
“Under previous people who are leading (the WNBA), we would be in the same room with each other, we wouldn’t even say hi and there were only five people in the room. Is that not like weird or awkward? Be friendly. Be a human.”
Advertisement
Hanlen noted NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s communication with star players and willingness to try new things such as the in-season tournament, despite skepticizes for the concept.
“I’m thankful of where we are as a league but there are still people in our league who have been there from the get-go and maybe some (of them) can evolve and see where this is going,” Cunningham said. “(But) you have to, excuse my French, have the balls to be like, ‘Hey, thank you, but it’s time we go in a different direction.’ You need someone with that forward thinking.
“Whoever gets it, I wish them the best of luck. The league is thriving. Who can we bring in to think even bigger than we are as players. A lot of us are very excited for new leadership that is more player-driven.”
Watch the full podcast here, including a film breakdown of WNBA rookie sensation Olivia Miles.
Advertisement
Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fever wing Sophie Cunningham: ‘I should be (WNBA) commissioner’
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
