​As the WNBA prepares for a new administration following the resignation of Cathy Engelbert as the league commissioner, Sophie Cunningham has received heaps of praise from Sport & State’s Gus Wilson following her rumored conversation with NBA commissioner Adam Silver about Engelbert’s successor. Following their practice session with the Indiana Fever, Cunningham revealed to reporters that Silver personally contacted her and asked for her opinion about the next WNBA commissioner. “I have talked to Adam Silver a couple times, and I think he’s a great guy,” Cunningham said. “He was very knowledgeable and full of wisdom, and so getting to talk to him and hear his perspective of how he approaches the NBA is huge, who he’s kind of looking for.”Cunningham’s suggestion for what Silver should look for in the next WNBA commissioner had Wilson praising the Fever star because of how vocal she was, especially when it comes to the relationship between the players and the league’s front office. “Cunningham’s comments also highlight where Engelbert went wrong during her time in charge, most notably when it comes to the player-to-commissioner relationship,” Wilson wrote.Though it may be too early, as Engelbert’s time as the WNBA commissioner isn’t up until the end of the year, Silver’s efforts to hear from the players themselves on what kind of leadership they expect from the new commissioner is a welcoming sign that the league is heading in the right direction. “She’s the only one with the chops to handle the job”: Sophie Cunningham touted as next WNBA commissioner by Jason WhitlockWhile NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been getting some pointers from Sophie Cunningham on who should be the next WNBA commissioner, veteran sports analyst Jason Whitlock believes the answer to Silver’s questions is already sitting in front of him.Jul 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) argues with a referee against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images In the latest episode of his “Fearless” podcast, Whitlock expressed that Cunningham’s bold and outspoken personality easily qualifies her as the right woman for the job.“I’m not joking. No, I’m dead serious. She’s the only one with the chops to handle the job,” Whitlock said. “You don’t need a law degree to run the WNBA. You don’t need endless business experience to run the WNBA.He added, “You need a skin thick enough to withstand the heat.”With how Sophie Cunningham has dealt with a lot of controversies in her career, including the most recent one when she talked about how transgender athletes shouldn’t be allowed in women’s sports, Whitlock believes Cunningham’s guts would be enough to run the league smoothly.However, that would mean the end of Cunningham’s basketball career, as current active players cannot become the commissioner of the league. But still, i