Engelbert Steps Down as WNBA Commissioner

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Engelbert calls time on WNBA role

Cathy Engelbert has confirmed she is leaving her position as WNBA commissioner, bringing to a close a tenure spanning more than seven years. The announcement came on Friday morning via a personal statement.

A transformative spell

Engelbert's watch saw the league navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, negotiate two collective bargaining agreements, and lay out an ambitious roadmap to expand to 18 teams by 2030. The most recent CBA proved historic, lifting player salaries and introducing a revenue-sharing model for the first time.

Big money moves

Under her stewardship, the WNBA completed a $75 million capital raise - initially framed as a stabilising measure - and landed an 11-year media rights deal reportedly worth $3 billion. Much of the credit for that broadcast agreement, however, has been directed towards the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver rather than Engelbert herself.

Player friction

Relations with players were not always smooth. Engelbert drew criticism over her leadership approach, with some questioning how personally connected she was to the athletes. Still, the landmark CBA ratified during her tenure stands as a significant legacy.

Writing on the wall

Signs of an exit had been building. At the WNBA All-Star Weekend in July, Engelbert sidestepped a direct question about her future beyond the 2026 season, offering only expressions of gratitude for her time at the helm.