WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced her retirement at the end of the year, concluding her impactful seven-plus-year tenure leading the league through transformative and sometimes challenging times. Engelbert, the second-longest-serving WNBA president or commissioner, played a key role in negotiating a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement earlier this year, which paved the way for the league’s first million-dollar player salaries.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert for steering the WNBA through a period of significant growth, emphasizing her dedication to advancing women’s basketball. Engelbert, who will turn 62 in November, revealed that her decision to retire has been on her mind for several months, reflecting on the financial milestones achieved during her tenure, including the successful completion of the collective bargaining agreement and securing long-term media rights and expansion deals.
Emphasizing that her retirement decision was personal and not driven by external pressure, Engelbert highlighted the succession planning efforts she has undertaken in recent years. While not disclosing specific candidates, she mentioned that both internal and external prospects are being considered to lead the league forward into its next chapter.
Under Engelbert’s leadership, the WNBA experienced exponential growth, marked by record TV ratings, increased attendance, a new media rights agreement, and plans for expansion to 18 teams by the end of the decade. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Engelbert cited the league’s enhanced revenue streams, improved merchandise sales, and heightened viewership and attendance metrics. She acknowledged the challenging moments faced during her tenure, including navigating controversies around player safety and transgender athlete participation.
Looking ahead, Engelbert expressed her intention to focus on spending more time with her family post-retirement, acknowledging the toll online criticism has taken on her loved ones. Despite the challenges, Engelbert remains proud of the progress made during her time as commissioner and looks forward to a smooth transition for her successor to continue elevating the WNBA’s position in the sports landscape.
