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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Retires After Controversial Tenure
Confirmed
In Short: Cathy Engelbert, who has overseen significant growth in the WNBA, is stepping down at the end of the year.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of the year, according to a league announcement on Friday. Engelbert, who has been at the helm for over seven years, has overseen the league's most significant period of growth in its 30-year history, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, expressed pride in the new collective bargaining agreement, charter travel for players, the league's resilience during the pandemic, a historic media rights deal, and the exponential increase in the value of WNBA franchises. She also oversaw the creation of the 'Wubble' in Florida, which allowed the WNBA to complete a shortened season in 2020, and the addition of six expansion teams to the league.
In a statement, Engelbert said, 'After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner.' However, at the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, she gave a non-answer when asked if she expected to be in charge at the start of next season, indicating some uncertainty about her future role.
Judge gives Lindsay Clancy’s defense an hour to appeal his plan to declare a mistrial, though this is unrelated to Engelbert's retirement and is a separate legal matter.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- In 2024, the WNBA secured an 11-year media rights deal, which is now worth a reported $3 billion, but the credit for that has largely gone to the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver, who negotiated both leagues’ deals in tandem.
- “Cathy Engelbert stepped into the WNBA at a pivotal moment and helped guide the league through a period of extraordinary change,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said in a statement released by the players’ association.