WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has backed out of an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show,” as announced by Patrick during Friday’s broadcast. Both Engelbert and Patrick were attending the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Nevada.
According to Patrick, the interview was planned for Thursday, but Engelbert was instructed to cancel by the WNBA’s public relations team. He mentioned, “We waited nearly two hours for her, which was on schedule. She was supposed to meet us after a conference call.” Patrick expressed frustration about being in limbo, waiting to speak with her.
He intended to discuss several pressing topics, including WNBA expansion and the rising star Caitlin Clark. However, he received a call from Engelbert saying her staff had advised against the interview. “They had better not let her do this,” he remarked.
Patrick criticized Engelbert’s handling of the situation, suggesting that if she wants the league to be taken seriously, she should engage with tough questions. “It was a chance for her to say, ‘It’s okay to ask tough questions.’ Many people want answers,” he added, lamenting that this was an opportunity missed.
Interestingly, he claimed Engelbert was just a short distance away playing golf while the show aired, and the footage even showed her swinging her club during the broadcast.
Earlier in June, Patrick expressed dissatisfaction about the league’s communication, specifically regarding an incident where Clark was punched by Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury. He criticized the WNBA for a lack of response to inquiries about that situation, suggesting it led to a chaos that could have been avoided.
Engelbert has faced scrutiny lately due to that same incident, where the referees did not call the foul at the time. Although Thomas received a one-game suspension after a review upgraded the foul, the league did not address Clark’s experience or her concerns regarding aggressive plays since her entry into the league in 2024. Instead, they issued a statement defending Thomas and emphasized player safety.
This situation has been further complicated by Clark’s ranking in the WNBA All-Star voting, where she finished lower than expected despite strong performance stats. WNBA legend Candice Parker pointedly criticized the voting process, emphasizing the need for players to reevaluate their choices.
Recently, the issue escalated when eleven Republican members of Congress sent a letter to Engelbert, calling for accountability regarding the treatment Clark received. They suggested that federal authorities should examine if the league fosters a hostile work environment.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever distanced themselves from the political fallout, noting they were unaware of the letter and urging focus on what they can control. Team coach Stephanie White specifically declined to comment further on the matter, reiterating their aim to maintain their focus on basketball.
