WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her plans to retire after the 2026 season, concluding a seven-year tenure as the league’s first commissioner.
Taking the reins in 2019, Engelbert’s leadership coincided with notable growth in the WNBA. There’s no denying the league’s expansion, visibility, and value have increased since she took over. Under her watch, the WNBA secured substantial media-rights deals, introduced charter flights for teams, and negotiated higher player salaries through a new collective bargaining agreement. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver even referred to her time in office as the most pivotal growth period in the league’s history. But, well, did she really deserve all the credit for these successes? I think it’s a bit more complicated than that.
Being a commissioner isn’t just about the numbers—revenue, viewership, or team valuations. It’s also about building and maintaining relationships with the players. However, those relationships have at times been rocky during her tenure. Engelbert is responsible for safeguarding the league’s reputation and its stars, and on that front, she seems to have struggled. Managing controversies has also been a repeated challenge for her. Ultimately, there’s an argument to be made that the actual gameplay product improved under her leadership, which could be viewed as one of her triumphs.
It’s clear that Engelbert’s period in charge has been fraught with tension, which likely influenced her choice to step down.
The ‘Wubble’ and the league’s political transformation
Engelbert’s first major challenge came almost from the get-go. The COVID-19 pandemic threatened the 2020 season, yet the WNBA successfully set up the “Wubble” in Florida and managed to complete the season. This was certainly a win, but the league also took a stronger stand on social-justice issues. I genuinely think this is when the WNBA became possibly the most politically charged sports league in the country. Players used their platforms to convey social-justice messages, like support for Jacob Blake and the Black Lives Matter movement, while the league partnered with them on various racial-justice initiatives. Engelbert permitted all this while alienating some fans who simply wanted to watch sports as a break from the world’s troubles.
Moreover, Engelbert allowed herself and the league to be pressured by activist players who pushed out Atlanta Dream owner and Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, who had publicly opposed the league’s Black Lives Matter advocacy. Instead of keeping things focused on basketball, Engelbert significantly linked the league with political activism.
The Dearica Hamby pregnancy controversy
One of the more serious issues Engelbert faced during her administration involved former Las Vegas Aces player Dearica Hamby.
Hamby claimed she’d faced mistreatment and bullying after announcing her pregnancy. An investigation found the Aces in violation of league rules regarding benefits during her contract discussions. The league responded by penalizing Las Vegas with a loss of a first-round draft pick and suspending coach Becky Hammon for two games.
This situation raised broader concerns about how well professional sports take care of pregnant athletes and placed Engelbert in a difficult position—she needed to show that the league’s commitment to women’s sports includes protecting its players as they navigate motherhood.
The charter-flight controversy
For a long time, WNBA teams mainly traveled via commercial flights, largely because using charter flights seemed financially unfeasible. This led to growing dissatisfaction among players regarding travel schedules and safety. The league faced embarrassment when teams received penalties for using unauthorized charter flights in the past. However, in 2024, after notable attention and demand due to Caitlin Clark’s emergence, Engelbert finally introduced a league-wide charter flight program.
While Engelbert might have had valid reasons to deem charter flights unnecessary before Clark’s breakout, it’s hard to overlook that Clark herself deserves much of the credit for this change.
The Caitlin Clark treatment and officiating controversy
Clark’s rising fame also brought some negative attention to how the league addressed physical play and officiating standards. Fans became increasingly concerned over whether the league was adequately protecting its star. Sadly, it seems like the answer here was no.
Engelbert had a golden opportunity but didn’t step up to shield Clark from scrutiny. Players and coaches voiced frustrations about inconsistent officiating and physical play becoming problematic. Eventually, Engelbert announced an initiative to address the officiating issues, but that step came after significant backlash.
Without Clark, it’s likely the WNBA wouldn’t be seeing the heights of popularity it has now—she brought in new fans, and the league needed her to succeed going forward. It feels like Engelbert hesitated to act decisively due to fears of the negative reactions from her peers.
The “Pay Us What You Owe Us” movement
Around the same time the WNBA was gaining attention, another issue was bubbling under the surface: money. The league has consistently operated at a loss over the years, and players argued that their pay didn’t reflect the league’s growing popularity and revenue.
During the 2025 All-Star Game, players sported shirts that read: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The sentiment was hard to ignore.
The dispute revolved around the league’s revenue-sharing system and players’ beliefs that they deserved a larger slice of the financial pie. The timing of this outcry was critical.
As the WNBA sought a new collective bargaining agreement, it was also celebrating heightened ratings, attendance, and sponsorship deals. They eventually reached an agreement, but it feels like Clark played a pivotal role in that process. The deal also raised concerns about whether it was fiscally responsible; only time will reveal the implications.
Napheesa Collier’s attack on Engelbert
Then came a moment that may have been particularly damaging to Engelbert’s reputation among the players.
In September 2025, Minnesota Lynx star and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier publicly criticized the league’s leadership. Collier took aim at poor oversight, lack of accountability, and failing to address player issues adequately.
Collier’s sharpest critique articulated that the WNBA had “the worst leadership in the world.” She specifically called out Engelbert on problems related to officiating, player safety, and communication.
Engelbert disputed some of what Collier claimed about their discussions but acknowledged the need for improvement in building trust among players. Additionally, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham didn’t hold back either, labeling Engelbert a “delusional leader” and calling for a commissioner who prioritizes players over self-interest.
It’s hard to find another commissioner with a relationship as strained with players as Engelbert’s.
The transgender-athlete controversy
Engelbert also waded into a sensitive issue in sports—the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.
The WNBA faced increasing scrutiny regarding eligibility rules and the involvement of transgender individuals. Engelbert assembled a task force, but it’s unclear whether any productive work came from it. The perception is that the leadership is so entrenched in left-leaning politics that they can’t communicate the fundamental definition of women as adult human females.
Fans have faced backlash for expressing their opinions; there have even been incidents involving teenage fans experiencing verbal abuse when they wore shirts promoting a biological definition of women.
In moments like these, the league needed a steady hand to calm tensions, yet Engelbert repeatedly faltered.
Engelbert’s legacy
The WNBA has long presented itself as more than just a sports organization, taking stances on various social issues, including racial justice and LGBTQ rights. While this advocacy is significant, it risks alienating segments of the fanbase, raising questions about its commercial viability. Engelbert might be most remembered for steering the league into a space where it’s seen as the most politically active and controversial in American pro sports.
The WNBA touts inclusivity, yet increasing numbers of fans and players feel that certain viewpoints are unwelcome. This disconnect falls on Engelbert’s shoulders.
In 2026, discussions around political expression, gender issues, and player relationships overshadowed the sport itself, a development many might attribute to Engelbert’s leadership.
As we head into this season, it’s likely to be remembered for its controversies as much as the gameplay. The WNBA needs someone at the helm who not only understands the business but can also unite fans around the sport. Plus, I think they should embrace talents like Caitlin Clark. But, honestly, I’m not too optimistic about that happening.
