Cunningham reveals she talked with Silver about next WNBA commissioner

Cunningham reveals she talked with Silver about next WNBA commissioner. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Case closed: Silver says Clippers needed 'competitive consequences'LA Clippers8hVincent GoodwillKnicks agree to deal with vet free agent KoncharNew York Knicks3hShams CharaniaCeltics' George ready to prove self in wake of controversial tradeBoston Celtics6hClippers, Raptors complete delayed Leonard tradeLA Clippers1dCunningham reveals she talked with Silver about next WNBA commissionerIndiana Fever12hGibson retires, joins Bulls as an assistant coachChicago Bulls1dJamal CollierLeagues, unions urge action against escalating threats from bettors12hDavid PurdumBallmer says he will accept NBA's punishments: 'I have sincere regrets'LA Clippers2d30 NBA teams, eight tiers: Why three squads rise to the topAtlanta Hawks7dZach KramThe 76ers' four 'super-users' have a math problem to solvePhiladelphia 76ers2dDean Oliver76ers offseason recap and early season preview: Is Philly a contender with LeBron?

What happened

Sophie Cunningham has discussed the soon-to-be-vacant WNBA commissioner's job with Adam Silver after the NBA commissioner reached out to her. Philadelphia 76ers2dNBA InsidersSuspensions, picks revoked and a $30 million fine: Making sense of the NBA's staggering Clippers punishmentLA Clippers5dNBA InsidersplayAdam Silver explains difficulty of issuing Clippers' harsh punishment (0:48)Vincent GoodwillSep 15, 2026, 03:12 PM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver considers the investigation into the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard "closed" following a landmark penalty that included suspending owner Steve Ballmer for a year, fining the Clippers $30 million and stripping them of five first-round draft picks.

The penalty handed down by Silver ranks among the highest in NBA history, not dissimilar to the punishment late commissioner David Stern handed down to the Minnesota Timberwolves for circumventing the cap with free agent Joe Smith in 2000. Silver said the next-round bids will be coming shortly, but that those will not be the final bids, just the next step in the process. Silver reiterated he wants to get it right and has tasked deputy commissioner Mark Tatum with heading up the process.

"I do think it's important that we introduce competition into the market next summer," Silver said. "New WNBA commissionerCathy Engelbert, who announced she is retiring after this season, was the first figure to hold the commissioner title in the WNBA's near three-decade run.

The wider picture

"I oversee the greater organization, but Cathy had enormous independence in those areas — player relations, when it came to overseeing collective bargaining discussions, certainly when it comes to potential rule changes in the WNBA," Silver said. Silver believes the incoming commissioner will have his or her own ideas of the league's structure as it continues to grow. "I think at least for now the WNBA is the beneficiary of the decades of experience of people in the NBA," Silver said.

In his first public remarks since those penalties were announced earlier this month, Silver said a long discussion about the stewardship of the game took place at the league's board of governors meeting over the past two days. "I think everyone in the room understands that part of the core responsibility of the league is to have a set of rules that everyone agrees to operate under, and the league's responsibility to enforce those rules," Silver said at his news conference Tuesday.

Silver said he spoke with Leonard, whom he fined $700,000 but did not issue a suspension to. While he wouldn't reveal the contents of the discussion, Silver said he and Leonard agreed to move forward. Silver wouldn't commit to repeating that concession, saying it hasn't been discussed with Ballmer.

What has been reported

"Because while there have to be competitive consequences, our view, if these rules are violated, we still want to be a 30-team league," Silver said. "Silver strongly denied the belief that cap circumvention was something widespread across the NBA, saying he doesn't believe this is an indication that he and the league should be probing more into player deals with team sponsors. "I've been around the league for decades," Silver said. "Potential expansion with Seattle and Las VegasSilver said there has been more discussion surrounding the possibility of expanding to Las Vegas than Seattle, stating there's "several active groups" in the bidding.

"There's real excitement around T-Mobile Arena," said Silver, referencing the Las Vegas venue that houses several sporting events, including the NBA Cup for the first three years of its existence. "Seattle, on the other hand, has a state-of-the-art arena in Climate Pledge Arena, but "It's a much longer timeline before we can throw the ball up for NBA basketball," according to Silver. Silver reiterated wanting a final decision by the end of the calendar year.

Lakers' latest sale Silver said Mark Walter, who is facing a federal investigation, was "fully vetted" before he purchased the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family in October for $10 billion.

What happens next

"NBA EuropeSilver believes the league is "making progress" with the target date of starting a 12-team league one year from now. Silver wants to join with the existing EuroLeague, and ongoing negotiations were discussed at the board of governors meeting. "Portland arenaSilver addressed rumors that new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon would try to move the team from Portland if he doesn't get funding for a new arena, saying it would be a "failure" for the league if the city loses its team.

Since Silver has taken over stewardship in 2014, nearly half the teams have been sold but none have been relocated. "I want to be very direct about it," Silver said. Negotiations have become contentious, and Silver said he hoped "that we can lower the temperature honestly a bit. Silver said that wasn't a symbolic gesture but one that signifies where the league is in its growth, and one he hopes to build on as she announced her retirement.