WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire after transformative, tumultuous tenure

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire after the 2026 season, ending a tenure that began in 2019 and coincided with the league’s most significant period of growth. During her leadership, the WNBA secured a major media-rights deal, expanded its teams and audience, increased player compensation through a new collective bargaining agreement, and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Engelbert said the decision was her own and that she had been considering retirement for months, while the league said a succession plan and internal replacement candidates are already in place. Her tenure was also marked by criticism from players and commentators over officiating, salaries, player protection and her handling of controversies as the league’s profile grew. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called the departure overdue, while NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert’s contributions to women’s basketball. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom separately mocked the decision and suggested he should replace her, adding to the contentious reaction surrounding the announcement.