The WNBA Changed. Cathy Engelbert Didn’t.
The Ringer • • sports
Key Points:
- Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire as WNBA commissioner at the end of 2026, concluding a seven-year tenure marked by significant growth and numerous challenges.
- Engelbert oversaw the league's survival through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the creation of the "Wubble," and led a $75 million capital raise that complicated the WNBA's ownership structure but boosted its business operations.
- The arrival of star player Caitlin Clark in 2024 dramatically increased fan engagement and revenue but also introduced new cultural and reputational challenges that Engelbert struggled to manage effectively.
- Criticisms of Engelbert’s leadership include poor communication, inconsistent responses to controversies, and a reluctance to push for greater autonomy from NBA control, limiting the league’s potential growth.
- The next commissioner will face a different context with increased NBA investment and expansion, requiring political savvy, vision, and the ability to balance the interests of diverse stakeholders, with key decisions resting on NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s preferences.
