WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
to retire in December after transformative and tumultuous tenure
[September 05, 2026]
By DOUG FEINBERG
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end the year,
bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league
and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times
tumultuous.
Engelbert is the second-longest tenured WNBA president or
commissioner, and she helped negotiate a lucrative collective
bargaining agreement this past spring that resulted in the league's
first set of million-dollar player salaries.
That growth has been accompanied by a series of headline-grabbing
distractions for the league under her leadership, especially in the
last year. She had a strained relationship with the players during
the contract negotiations, and the 2026 season has been dominated by
controversies surrounding officiating and the transgender debate
along with a large amounts of social media backlash against WNBA
participants.
Engelbert told The Associated Press that the decision to leave was
solely her own and that she did not feel any pressure to step down
from NBA or WNBA stakeholders before Friday's announcement. She
insists she has a good relationship with players.
While talks between the commissioner and players have been
complicated, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, vice
president of the WNBA players’ union executive committee, said
Friday that she is happy for Engelbert.
“What she’s done for the league is incredible,” Stewart said.
“Obviously, the CBA negotiation was a tough one, but the way that
both sides continue to have a huge win is really important. So
really happy for her and hope that she continues to remember that
and reflect on that.”
Stewart had said before July's All-Star Game that there was a
respect for Engelbert among the players but not much of a
relationship.
Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, told AP she has been thinking
about retiring for months.
“When I first came to the league I intended to do this for 3 1/2
years,” she said in a phone interview. “The 7 1/2 years exceeded
that time. This is a really good time given the financial
transformation journey we’ve been on. Getting the collective
bargaining agreement done, getting a long-term media rights deal
done, getting expansion done.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert in the announcement.
“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant
period of growth in the league’s 30-year history," he said. "We are
grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the
advancement of women’s basketball.”
Engelbert: Several unidentified successors on league's radar
The WNBA commissioner said she has been working on a succession plan
over the last few years. While she didn’t give any specifics on who
might be considered for the position, Engelbert did say there are
both internal and external potential candidates on the league’s
radar.
“It’s a good time to hand it off to the next leader to take the ‘W’
into a better phase,” she said. “I’m proud of the team we built and
everything we accomplished. A leader knows when it’s time to drop
the mic and move on after building a powerhouse team in the league
office.”
Engelbert added that she has mixed emotions about leaving.
“I love women's basketball and am not going anywhere yet. We'll run
a real succession process in the remaining four months. If we don't
find someone I'll stay on," she said. "I had no transition. I walked
in the door and I was by myself as no one transitioned me into this
role.
“Hopefully I can help this next leader transition in especially
considering the elevation of this league.”
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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference
before the WNBA All-Star basketball game, July 19, 2025, in
Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The WNBA has grown at an exponential rate during Engelbert’s tenure
as commissioner, with record television ratings, strong attendance,
a new long-term media rights deal and expansion to 18 teams by the
end of the decade.
“I was brought in as a business leader to transform the business,”
she said. “I look at revenue and merchandise, viewership and
attendance,” she said, noting how they've all improved. “A great
leader senses when it’s time for someone else to come in. When I
came in, this league was facing questions about our long-term
viability and sustainability.”
Turmoil and tension part of Engelbert's tenure
Engelbert said the growth of the league has “blown away her
expectations” since she stepped into her role after leaving her
previous position as president of Deloitte in 2019.
Besides the new CBA, the list of things she is most proud of
includes getting charter travel for players, keeping the league
going during the coronavirus pandemic, the historic media rights
deal and exponential increase in the value of WNBA franchises. In
2019, the average value of a WNBA franchise was $10 million; in
2026, it is about $460 million.
Along with the financial gains, however, turmoil and tension have
accompanied the WNBA’s growth.
Players say they have seen more social media vitriol directed toward
them over the last few years and some don't feel the league has done
enough to ensure their safety. The league also has been at the
center of discussions about transgender athletes playing in the
league.
Engelbert has repeatedly said the online attacks of players are
unacceptable and she backs league initiatives to protect players.
She also said there should be no confusion on the transgender
question.
“We have no current eligibility issues in the WNBA," Engelbert said,
adding that “if we did, we would have a thoughtful policy discussion
with the (players' association) and the players.”
Engelbert sent a letter to all the players Friday morning in which
she wrote that she had “enormous pride in what we've accomplished
together, profound gratitude for the opportunity to lead alongside
of you, and complete confidence that the future of the WNBA is
brighter than ever.”
What's next in Engelbert's future?
Engelbert said she is ready to do what most retirees plan: spend
more time with family.
She also admitted that the online hate she receives has affected her
family, though she did not share details of the impact.
“There have been some hard parts of that on my family with the
vitriol and hate I get online,” Engelbert said.
Her retirement will make her mother happy.
“My mom is turning 90 this year, and she said that ‘it would be good
if you were retired to spend more time with me,'" Engelbert said,
laughing. “I have two children, one I barely see.
"I’m one of eight kids (and I) have five brothers. They always say
can you retire so you can spend more time with us."
Come Jan. 1, her family will get its wish.
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