WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to step down after 2026 season

Cathy Engelbert, who has led the Women’s National Basketball Association since 2019, said she will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 season. During her tenure, Engelbert oversaw a $75 million capital raise that sold a 16 percent equity stake to external investors and helped expand the league office to roughly 100 staff members. The infusion was intended to strengthen marketing and stabilize finances amid declining ratings and the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the 2020 season to be held in a bubble at IMG Academy.

Engelbert’s period in office also coincided with a surge in popularity following the debut of star guard Caitlin Clark in 2024, which drove higher viewership, attendance and merchandise sales. However, the heightened profile brought increased scrutiny and controversy, including debates over player conduct and trans-inclusion policies that the league has yet to address publicly.

Critics have pointed to communication lapses and a perceived reluctance to confront cultural-political challenges, while supporters note improvements such as a new Replay Center and rule changes that have boosted offensive efficiency. The league’s ownership structure now includes NBA-affiliated owners with stakes in several teams and plans for expansion into new markets.

Engelbert told the Associated Press that she was hired as a business leader focused on revenue and growth and that “a great leader senses when it’s time for someone else to come in.” The search for her successor will likely involve balancing the league’s continued commercial expansion with the need for stronger stakeholder relationships, a decision that ultimately rests with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.