WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire after transformative, tumultuous tenure

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of 2026 after more than seven years leading the league. Her tenure brought unprecedented growth, including sharply higher viewership and attendance, expanded corporate partnerships and franchise valuations, a long-term media-rights agreement, plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, and a landmark collective bargaining agreement that will produce the league’s first million-dollar salaries. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised her leadership, while Engelbert said the decision was her own and that she had been considering retirement for months. Her tenure was also marked by tensions with players and criticism over compensation, player safety, online harassment, officiating and the handling of controversies. A successor has not been named, and Engelbert is expected to assist with the succession process and transition to new leadership.