WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December after transformative and tumultuous tenur
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end the year, bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times tumultuous. Engelbert is the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner, and she helped negotiate a lucrative collective bargaining agreement this past spring that […]
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire at the end of the year after seven-plus years leading the league. Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, helped negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that led to million-dollar player salaries, the first of its kind in the league's history. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert's leadership during the WNBA's most significant period of growth, crediting her for turning the league into a financial powerhouse.
The commissioner has overseen record television ratings, strong attendance, expansion to 18 teams and a new long-term media rights deal. Despite the league's financial successes, Engelbert has faced criticism for increased player vitriol on social media and discussions around transgender athletes. Engelbert insists her decision to retire was her own and there are both internal and external candidates being considered for the role.
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