WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Retire

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced her retirement, set to take effect at the end of this year.

Engelbert made history as the first commissioner of the league, a role she’s held for the past seven years. The announcement was made by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” Silver stated in the league’s announcement. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”

The timing of her departure comes amid a year filled with controversies affecting the WNBA, particularly regarding comments made by Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham about trans athletes and the treatment of player Caitlin Clark, which have dominated headlines this season.

Engelbert expressed her decision to retire after her extensive career, saying, “After more than seven years at the WNBA and over 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner.”

Reflecting on her journey, she added, “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.”

During Engelbert’s leadership, the league has expanded from 12 to 18 teams and she has managed important aspects such as media rights and collective bargaining agreements. Though she faced criticism for not promoting stars like Clark enough, the league has enjoyed substantial growth during her tenure.

The WNBA’s statement highlighted that under Engelbert, there have been “increases in viewership and historic highs in digital engagement, game attendance, League Pass subscribers, merchandise sales, corporate partnership revenues, and franchise valuations.”

Changes to the WNBA schedule have also been seen during her time. In 2021, she introduced the in-season Commissioner’s Cup tournament and announced an expansion of the regular season to 44 games in 2025, with a record-high 50 games planned for 2027.

As Engelbert retires, she does so with a sense of gratitude and optimism for the league’s future. “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,” she said.

Currently, there is no indication of who will succeed her in this role.