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Sophie Cunningham has revealed she has spoken directly with NBA commissioner Adam Silver about what comes next for the WNBA.<\/p>\n
The Indiana Fever guard said Silver reached out to her as the league prepares to find a replacement for commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who recently announced she will retire at the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have talked to Adam Silver a couple times, and I think he\u2019s a great guy,\u201d Cunningham said<\/a>, according to ESPN. \u201cHe 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\u2019s kind of looking for. I think if you want to know the real answers, you go to him.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think he\u2019s going to put someone in place who really wants to take our league to another level than it\u2019s already at. Our league is booming, so why would we not [want] someone who\u2019s going to make it even more booming?\u201d<\/p>\n Cunningham didn\u2019t name any potential candidates, but she made it clear what she wants from the WNBA\u2019s next leader.<\/p>\n For Cunningham, building a strong relationship between the commissioner\u2019s office and the players should be near the top of the list.<\/p>\n \u201cI really do think that you need a commissioner who is players-first, who wants a relationship with their players,\u201d Cunningham said, according to ESPN. \u201cI think that\u2019s so important. That doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re always going to get along and we\u2019re always going to agree. Like, they have a job, they work for the owners, and so they\u2019re going to have to make hard decisions. But if you have that open line of communication and that respect level, I think that it just feels different. I think that is a very important piece for our new commissioner.\u201d<\/p>\n With the WNBA continuing to experience significant growth in attendance, television audiences and merchandise sales, Cunningham\u2019s message is simple: the next commissioner needs to keep that momentum moving.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Kawhi Leonard Blockbuster Return to Toronto Official<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n