Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of this year, ending her seven-year tenure as the WNBA’s first commissioner.
Engelbert, 61, has brokered two collective bargaining agreements and overseen increases in viewership and game attendance in the WNBA as well as growth in the league itself. The WNBA will expand to 18 teams by 2030.
However, her leadership publicly came into question over the last year — notably Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier labeling Engelbert as “negligent” and the WNBA having the “worst leadership in the world.”
Last month, outspoken Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said the WNBA needs a commissioner who is bold and confident and not focused on themselves during an exclusive interview with USA Today.
On Friday, Engelbert informed the league of her decision to retire in a statement provided by the WNBA.
“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 in a statement. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”
Engelbert was appointed to the position in 2019 after serving as the CEO of Deloitte. Her contract expires after the 2026 season.
She introduced the in-season WNBA Commissioner’s Cup in 2021 and expanded the regular-season schedule to 44 games in 2025. That slate will grow to 50 games, starting in 2027.
“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 statement. “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.
“I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined. 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.”
–Field Level Media
