WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December after transformative and tumultuous tenure
apnews.com • • sports
Key Points:
- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end of 2023 after more than seven years leading the league, during which she oversaw significant growth including the league’s first million-dollar player salaries and expansion plans.
- Engelbert played a key role in negotiating a lucrative collective bargaining agreement, securing a long-term media rights deal, and increasing franchise values from $10 million in 2019 to about $460 million projected in 2026.
- Despite the league’s growth, Engelbert’s tenure included challenges such as increased social media attacks on players, discussions on transgender athlete participation, and some tension during CBA negotiations, though she maintains a positive relationship with players.
- Engelbert emphasized that her decision to retire is personal and that she has been preparing a succession plan with potential internal and external candidates to continue advancing the league.
- Post-retirement, Engelbert plans to spend more time with her family and acknowledged the personal impact of online hate, expressing pride in her accomplishments and confidence in the WNBA’s future.
