Engelbert, who helped transform WNBA, to retire — SkimNews
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- Cathy Engelbert will retire as WNBA commissioner effective Dec. 31, with the search for her replacement starting later this month.
- During her 7½-year tenure as the WNBA's first commissioner, Engelbert oversaw franchise values jumping from $10 million in 2019 to $460 million in 2026, a $3.1 billion media rights deal, and expansion from 12 to 18 franchises by 2030.
- Engelbert also led a $75 million capital raise in 2022 — the largest-ever investment round in women's sports — and introduced the first full-time charter program in women's professional U.S. team sports in 2024.
- Napheesa Collier called Engelbert's governance 'negligent' and the WNBA's leadership 'the worst in the world' in an end-of-season interview last year; the remarks drew widespread support from players.
- The latest WNBA CBA, finalized in March, introduced the league's first $1 million salaries and first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports.
- Adam Silver credited Engelbert with presiding over the most significant growth period in the WNBA's 30-year history; her successor will report to him as NBA commissioner.
Why it matters: Engelbert's successor inherits a league whose average franchise value grew roughly 46-fold under her watch but where players publicly labeled her leadership 'negligent' after tense CBA talks. With Silver still overseeing the WNBA and a search launching this month, the league picks its sixth leader during a pivotal push from 12 to 18 franchises.
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