“That’s A Lie, Right? She Was Fired”: Cathy Engelbert Draws Dave Portnoy’s Harsh Verdict After WNBA Exit

Cathy Engelbert made headlines for her decision to step down as WNBA Commissioner at the end of the season, following Team USA's successful run in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. However, Dave Portnoy, the owner of Barstool Sports and a big fan of Caitlin Clark, did not believe that Engelbert was leaving on her own terms. During an episode of "Wake Up Barstool," Portnoy suggested that it was actually a way of saying she had been removed from her position: "As far as Engelberg’s decision to retire, that’s a lie, right?

She was fired, and they gave her the dignity of saying she’s going to retire, but there's no retiring here."

Engelbert's tenure as commissioner has been marked by significant growth for the league, with notable teams like the Golden State Valkyries, Toronto Tempo, and Portland Fire joining the WNBA. She played a crucial role in bringing three more teams to the league by 2028-2030, increasing the total number of teams to 18. Despite the success, Portnoy disagreed with Engelbert's claims of contributing to the league's growth, attributing it all to Caitlin Clark's marketability.

He stated, "She [Cathy Engelbert] has done nothing to help this league, really. It's successful despite itself because of the overwhelming interest in Caitlin Clark." Portnoy further added, "She deservedly was fired. All the players hate her guts. Doesn't matter what side of the fence you’re on. Nobody likes her."

Ultimately, Engelbert will be leaving the league with her head held high, having made a significant impact on the WNBA's growth and development in her role as commissioner.