{
  "id": 5595758,
  "title": "Who should be the next WNBA commissioner? Potential candidates to replace Cathy Engelbert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/who-should-be-the-next-wnba-commissioner-potential-candidates-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T16:31:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/next-wnba-commissioner-potential-candidates-163105896.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amidst the WNBA's most successful season on record, commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her retirement at the close of 2026. Engelbert, who took the helm in 2019, oversaw significant financial and structural growth, leading the league to 18 teams by 2030. However, her tenure has been marked by public criticism from players. The next commissioner will need to mend these relations while building on the league's rapid growth, particularly with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles on the horizon. Female leadership has been consistent in the WNBA's 30-year history, making it unlikely that the gender of the next commissioner would change.\n\nPotential candidates for the role include Bethany Donaphin, who has served as the league's chief operations officer and has deep NBA and WNBA experience. Swin Cash, a three-time WNBA champion and four-time All-Star, has been a frequent name in discussions due to her potential to smooth relations with the players. Sarah Mensah, president of Jordan Brand and a former Portland Trail Blazers executive, brings extensive Fortune 100 experience and current ties to WNBA players. Renie Anderson, NFL EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, could provide valuable business acumen, even if her direct connection to women's basketball is limited. Lastly, Nneka Ogwumike, though she has ruled out the position for now, has extensive experience as the WNBPA president and could be a valuable asset in the future.",
  "summary": "Amid the most successful season in the WNBA’s 30-year history, commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Friday that she’ll retire at the end of 2026. Engelbert was named as the league’s first commissioner in 2019, overseeing an era of immense growth both financially and structurally. Her legacy, however, is complicated. Though Engelbert led a transformative capital raise, inked an 11-year, $3.1…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Front Office Sports",
        "title": "Cathy Engelbert Out As WNBA Commissioner After 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/cathy-engelbert-out-as-wnba-commissioner-after-2026",
        "published": "2026-09-04T15:00:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces retirement at end of season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-announces-retirement-at-end-of",
        "published": "2026-09-04T15:11:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement Amid WNBA's Sophie Cunningham Controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/cathy-engelbert-announces-retirement-amid-wnbas-sophie-cunningham",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:29:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sportico",
        "title": "WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Retire at End of Year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-to-retire-at-end-of-year",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:29:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Stephen A. Smith doesn’t hold back on Cathy Engelbert after retirement announcement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/stephen-a-smith-doesnt-hold-back-on-cathy-engelbert-after-retirement",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:36:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Forbes",
        "title": "WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-announces-retirement-5611387",
        "published": "2026-09-04T17:11:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}