Sophie Cunningham Has One Big Request for WNBA Media as League Visibility Grows

Sophie Cunningham has become one of the most talked-about figures in women's basketball. Whether on or off the court, Cunningham's outspoken personality has built a large following for herself and has recently added a new platform to that reach.

The Indiana Fever guard launched a podcast called "No Hesitation" alongside trainer Drew Hanlen . Her debut episode was released on Thursday. During that episode, she addresses the storytelling path she believes the WNBA media should tread. Also, she highlights things she could do differently if she held certain governmental powers over the game.

Sophie Cunningham Wants WNBA Media To Tell More Positive Stories

So far in the season, Cunningham has averaged 8.3 points , 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, demonstrating her central role to her team's success all-year-long. During the show, Cunningham touched on players' remuneration, the WNBA media coverage, and even the outgoing commissioner's office. An NFL-themed X page, Franco Vision, shares snippets from the conversation.

"We're always as players going to want more money, and as owners they're always not going to want to give it to you…"When it comes to media coverage, I think that we have good coverage now. Yes, it can always be better. Yes, it can be bigger." It's all about visibility. And so I do think that we are getting to have that visibility…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." 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."

"We're always as players going to want more money, and as owners they're always not going to want to give it to you…"When it comes to media coverage, I think that we have good coverage now. Yes, it can always be better. Yes, it can be bigger."

It's all about visibility. And so I do think that we are getting to have that visibility…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."

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."

She admitted that the WNBA is a b usiness in which ownership groups have poured substantial investment into franchises. As a result, there's no surprise that periodic tensions between players and the league office inevitably arise. However, beyond arbitrarily eliminating disagreements, Cunningham is more concerned about ensuring that the relationship is built on openness rather than distance.

The WNBA star also addressed a question that has trailed the league all season, surrounding the WNBA's next commissioner. In the bid to answer what she would do differently if she became a commissioner, Cunningham highlighted a few crucial topics that mattered to her. Yet, she still found a way to be lighthearted about her contributions, suggesting that she'd best fit the role of the WNBA's next commissioner.

Cunningham claimed she would prioritize practice facilities, noting that some teams still lack adequate spaces. She highlighted that some athletes are forced to use gyms shared with youth camps, highlighting Fever's own upgrade as proof that transformation is feasible.

Her views come only days after current commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced plans to step down at the end of the 2026 season, closing out a seven-year run marked by rapid growth in attendance, ratings, and media rights value, alongside tension between the league and its players. As the WNBA looks for its next leader, bar the light humor that laced her perspectives and voices, like Cunningham's, suggests players want a seat at that conversation, however little.