Cathy Engelbert has been front-and-center for a lot of headline news in her time as WNBA commissioner. The league is reaching new heights, breaking viewership and attendance records, and becoming a force in professional sports, and Englebert has been there for it all. However, the 61-year-old executive announced on Friday that she will step down after the 2026 season.
"After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner," Engelbert said in a league press release. "In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league's first commissioner and to lead a league with enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation. Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports." Four leaders served as WNBA president before Engelbert took over as commissioner in May 2019.
She oversaw a period of immense growth for the league, which continues to set ratings records amid rising popularity. Early in her tenure, Engelbert created a "Wubble" in Florida to play the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WNBA secured a $3.1 billion media rights deal and will continue its rapid expansion from 12 teams to 18 by 2030.
"I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined," Engelbert said. "I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become. I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come." Yet despite the league's financial growth, Engelbert has faced criticism from players over issues including officiating, salaries, protecting them from harassment and verbal abuse, and most recently, the hot-button issue of transgender eligibility.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham recently brought that issue to the forefront when she told ESPN she believed transgender athletes shouldn't be allowed to play women's sports. Englebert, who sent a memo to WNBA teams advising them to approach the issue with integrity and respect, faced criticism from Cunningham and many others for not taking a stance on the topic. Cunningham even hinted the WNBA needed to make a change with Englebert and bring in someone who would take a stance and protect the players in the league.
"Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball."
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