WNBA commissioner remains noncommittal about tenure amid ongoing discussions
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert declined to confirm her future with the league at the All-Star press conference, while NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the WNBA’s progress will continue to be reviewed.
At a pre-All-Star Game press conference in Chicago, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert avoided a direct answer when asked whether she expects to still be commissioner in 2027. She said she is "blessed to be at the helm of this league during this incredible hypergrowth period" and that she will continue to execute the league’s strategy, emphasizing the importance of listening to and communicating with players.
Engelbert highlighted the league’s growth since she took the role in 2019, noting that staff numbers have risen from about a dozen to nearly one hundred full-time employees and that the organization now leverages digital, social, and data capabilities modeled after the NBA.
The commissioner’s tenure has been marked by significant expansion but also criticism, including comments from Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier in September who described league leadership as the "worst" despite praising the players and fans.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, speaking at an NBA Summer League press event, said he is "very pleased" with the WNBA’s progress under Engelbert and that “ongoing discussions” will continue regarding her future. He added that the collective bargaining process had resulted in an economic reset that appeared satisfactory to both the league and the players’ association.
An ESPN report cited unnamed team sources suggesting Engelbert’s current season could be her last, while WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike expressed empathy for Engelbert but indicated she does not control the decision about the commissioner’s continuation.