Sophie Cunningham, Sue Bird to join WNBA studio coverage this season

Atlanta DreamChicago SkyConnecticut SunDallas WingsGolden State ValkyriesIndiana FeverLas Vegas AcesLos Angeles SparksMinnesota LynxNew York LibertyPhoenix MercurySeattle StormWashington MysticsScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsWNBA Offseason Sophie Cunningham is set to participate in USA Network's studio coverage when it doesn’t interfere with her playing schedule. David Butler II / Imagn Images Share full article1WNBA broadcasts will have two more new voices in 2026. The league is adding multiple new broadcast partners as it kicks off an 11-year media rights deal valued at $2.2 billion, and that means new talent on the new networks, starting with Sophie Cunningham. The still-active seven-year WNBA veteran will be a part of USA Sports’ WNBA coverage in addition to playing this season, she announced Wednesday on Instagram. Cunningham is set to participate in USA Network’s studio coverage when it doesn’t interfere with her playing schedule. She will also contribute to USA Sports’ digital and social platforms. A post shared by Sophie Cunningham (@sophie_cham) Cunningham, who is a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Indiana Fever, is the only active player commentating on the WNBA. On the NBA side, Draymond Green was part of Turner Sports’ NBA coverage during the 2024-25 season while he was playing, but that arrangement ended when Turner stopped carrying the league’s games. Unrivaled has also had active players serve as commentators during games, including the StudBudz (Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman) and Monique Billings during the 2026 season. Cunningham previously did studio work for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns while playing for the Mercury. She also talks about the WNBA on her podcast “Show Me Something.” Another new, but very familiar, voice on WNBA coverage is Sue Bird. The Hall of Famer will contribute to NBC’s studio coverage this season, per a source briefed on the deal. Bird wears a lot of hats in the women’s basketball space, including managing director of USA Basketball. It’s worth noting that her counterpart on the men’s side, Grant Hill, is also an NBA commentator. Bird is also a minority owner of the Seattle Storm, although that conflict of interest doesn’t appear to interfere since Atlanta Dream part-owner Renee Montgomery is a regular participant on WNBA broadcasts, including as a studio analyst for USA Network for the 2026 season. The WNBA season tips off on May 8 and will include the Toronto Tempo’s debut against the Washington Mystics. The 2026 season is 44 games long. — Andrew Marchand contributed to this report. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Sabreena Merchant is a women's basketball Staff Writer for The Athletic. She previously covered the WNBA and NBA for SB Nation. Sabreena is an alum of Duke University, where she wrote for the independent student newspaper, The Chronicle. She is based in Los Angeles. Follow Sabreena on Twitter @sabreenajm