Sophie Cunningham is aware of the stalemate in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks between the players’ union and the WNBA. On the “Show Me Something” podcast on Tuesday, the veteran guard expressed her frustrations about the impasse that could lead to a lockout this year.
When asked to comment by co-host West Wilson on the CBA negotiations, Cunningham responded:
“Honestly, it sucks. Our negotiations, it’s like we’re the laughingstock of sports right now.”
According to Cunningham, many from the NHL, MLB, and NBA are questioning Cathy Engelbert’s methods. Cunningham said that the WNBA commissioner could take a cue from these leagues, which value players and give team owners profit.
Sophie Cunningham continued talking about Engelbert:
“Our commissioner, right now, even though we’re not agreeing on negotiations or barely even talking at all, she could still go on social media platforms and be like, ‘I believe in our product. I love our product, I want our product to have everything.’ Go out there and speak positively and be happy and proud of your product because that gives off a different feel than not just saying anything and acting like we don’t exist. … We’re missing that servant part of leadership.”
Tuesday wasn’t the first time Sophie Cunningham has questioned Cathy Engelbert’s leadership. In October, when WNBA superstar blasted Engelbert for “lacking accountability,” Cunningham echoed the same sentiment. The former Indiana Fever guard said that some “people” in the WNBA know how to run a business but “don’t know s**t about basketball.”
ESPN reported on Monday that the WNBPA and the WNBA met for three hours for their in-person meeting since October. While there was discussion, both parties have not agreed on major points, particularly revenue sharing.
Sophie Cunningham opens up about potentially becoming WNBA Commissioner
Sophie Cunningham understands that there is plenty of work behind the scenes to function well as a WNBA commissioner. She added that she could learn the business side of the equation, which will only help her after playing in the league for multiple years.
Cunningham added:
“I think that one day, it will be so fun to be the commissioner. I know that it’s a tough job. … I get that, but I also think that when you’re collaborative, you want the product to be successful and that you find a way to put people first and still run the business.”
The 29-year-old just finished her seventh season in the WNBA. She said in December that she is looking for a big contract before anything else. After that, she might try to give Cathy Engelbert a run for her money as the league commissioner.
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