WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than seven years leading the league, the Associated Press reported. Engelbert, 61, is the second-longest-serving WNBA president or commissioner, according to the AP.
Why now, and what she points to
In a phone interview, Engelbert told the AP she had been considering retirement for months. “When I first came to the league I intended to do this for three and a half years,” she said. “The seven and a half years exceeded that time. This is a really good time, given the financial transformation journey we’ve been on. Getting the collective bargaining agreement done, getting a long-term media rights deal done, getting expansion done.”
She also shared a statement with ESPN: “Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports.” She added, “I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined… I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly praised her tenure on Friday, saying, “Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history… We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball,” according to the Associated Press.
Succession: AP says planning is underway
The AP reported Engelbert has been working on a succession strategy for years, though she did not name a successor. “It’s a good time to hand it off to the next leader to take the ‘W’ into a better phase,” she said, adding, “A leader knows when it’s time to drop the mic and move on after building a powerhouse team in the league office.”
Controversies drawing headlines
While Engelbert cites league milestones, the WNBA has also faced heightened media attention around on-court physicality involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and debates over player eligibility and gender definitions, according to the source material.
An August Fox News article highlighted what it called a “long list of embarrassing WNBA incidents,” including criticism of how Clark has been treated by opponents and online backlash toward teammate Sophie Cunningham. DailyHeadlines.net has not independently verified those claims.
Courtside dispute becomes a lawsuit
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom made headlines after declaring for the WNBA draft; the source text says he and former NBA player Royce White were later deemed ineligible for the 2027 WNBA draft. Kanter Freedom has since filed a federal lawsuit against the Chicago Sky and the owners of Wintrust Arena after he was removed by security and banned from attending WNBA games, WLS-TV reported.
WLS-TV reported the lawsuit centers on First Amendment claims. The station reported Kanter Freedom had a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud while wearing a T-shirt that read: “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” and that he was then asked to leave. Sky owner Michael Alter told WLS-TV: “[Kanter Freedom] has demonstrated to us, unequivocally, that he has the potential to be a threat… That he is not able to control himself to the extent where we can be comfortable that he may [not] step towards the court again and towards the players. So, so that is the basis for which we will not permit him into the building until such time as he can prove otherwise.”
The Associated Press reported Engelbert did not provide details on who will replace her. She told the AP it is “a good time” to hand off the league following completed work on a new CBA, media rights, and expansion.
