WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of this year. Engelbert, the first commissioner in WNBA history, has served for seven years. The announcement came from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Cathy has presided over the WNBA during its most significant growth period in the league’s 30-year history. We are grateful for her leadership and commitment to advancing women’s basketball.
The timing of Engelbert’s retirement follows a year of controversy in the WNBA. Issues, including comments by Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham about trans athletes in women’s sports and treatment of player Caitlin Clark, have been significant topics this season.
Engelbert stated, “After more than seven years at the WNBA and over 40 total years in business, I have decided to retire as WNBA Commissioner. Since 2019, it has been an honor leading a league with enormous potential and untapped awareness. Watching WNBA players thrive and influence the cultural surge around women’s sports has been incredible.”
During Engelbert’s tenure, the league expanded from 12 to 18 teams. She managed media rights and the collective bargaining agreement. Engelbert faced criticism for not marketing WNBA’s superstars enough, particularly Caitlin Clark, though the league experienced significant growth under her leadership.
The WNBA’s statement noted the achievements facilitated by Engelbert, including increased viewership, digital engagement, game attendance, League Pass subscribers, merchandise sales, and corporate partnership revenues.
Under Engelbert, the WNBA schedule changed considerably. In 2021, she introduced the in-season Commissioner’s Cup tournament. By 2025, the regular season expanded to 44 games, with plans for a record 50 games in 2027.
The 61-year-old Engelbert expressed both gratitude and optimism for the league’s future, “I retire knowing we have built something stronger and more enduring than expected. I am thankful to the WNBA and NBA team owners, staff, players, investors, fans, and the league office staff. I retire with immense gratitude and optimism for the WNBA’s future, with the best yet to come.”
Her successor has not been announced yet.
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