WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire at end of 2026

sportsSep 4, 202629565

Cathy Engelbert, 61, announced she will retire as WNBA commissioner at the end of 2026, ending a seven-plus year tenure that brought record financial growth but growing player criticism. Engelbert brokered two collective bargaining agreements, navigated a pandemic season and pushed league expansion plans aimed at reaching 18 teams by 2030. She facilitated a $75 million capital raise and presided during the 11-year media rights deal now reported to be worth about $3 billion, though the media pact is widely credited to the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver. Players and critics repeatedly targeted Engelbert’s leadership style; Napheesa Collier called the WNBA’s leadership “the worst leadership in the world,” and Engelbert has been booed at arenas. Off-court problems that surfaced under her stewardship include stalking incidents involving stars such as Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and Paige Bueckers, online racist messages and death threats to players, frequent complaints about officiating, and arena rallies over transgender athlete participation following Cunningham’s comments. A separate report says Engelbert will help find her successor and told the league she would remain if one is not found by her planned departure. Engelbert said in her statement she retires “with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA.”

Megan Greenwell

@greenwell.bsky.social

WNBA commissioner Nneka Ogwumike, you're hearing it more and more.

1937h ago

Megan Greenwell31

btw I made Cathy's retirement happen by filing 5,200 words, in which she's quoted extensively as the current commissioner, 10 minutes earlier, so YOU'RE WELCOME.

tape1

I wish the owners would go for this

Kate Starbird

@katestarbird.bsky.social

The next WNBA Commissioner has their work cut out for them… including how to integrate new audiences without alienating their old, how to protect their platform from becoming a stage for right wing provocations & culture wars (which the WNBA will most certainly lose as a “neutral” party), and more.

687h ago

Melissa Ryan4

I feel like they should bring you on as a consultant for that last one. (Though tbh I've always wanted to work with athletes or their unions on this particular comms strategy.)

Ira Hyman2

You’re perfect for the job!

Kyle Siler1

I'm sure UW would let you go on sabbatical...

David Berri

@wagesofwins.bsky.social

As we talk about Cathy Engelbert's time as WNBA Commissioner, let's not just talk about growth. The NBA also sold 16% of the league for just $75 million. That is looking liking the worst deal in sports history. And the players are still paid very poorly. wagesofwins.substack.com/p/the-wnbanb...

454h ago

WNBA

@wnba.com

Thank you to the first-ever Commissioner of the WNBA, Cathy Engelbert 🧡

397h ago

Jen Hupf13

In the future she will be remembered as the commissioner during the most explosive growth and impactful change in league history. Those of us who lived through it know all of that happened in spite of her, not because of her.

Matthew James Ⓥ2

I give some respect for Cathy being the 1st, meaning it was finally somewhat not just run by the old boys club. Couldn't have been easy, so that deserves a bow. And yeah, she is also a bad fit for this moment. Time to pass the torch. We are more than one thing.

Y'all and Oates1

Fantastic news. Now she can go work for Evergreen Marine.

Alan Fernando Gamino1

For what? The whore has failed the league ever since [2020] in the Bubblegum & [2024] of the worst: MAGA-CC22 DK!Riders coming in!? & you don't know what an woman is to define!!! The bitch is finally gone for good, fuck Cathy Engelbert

Quoting this

niki grayson24

eager to never think about this woman again

Sabera3

Ehhhhh not so much, no

Phil Leotardo did 20 years in the can3

I’ve never seen a commissioner so universally hated. Rob Manfred and Adam Silver are still active and I don’t think people hate them as much as Cathy

Matt Cohen2

Good riddance. Dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Can't wait for the next mindless, tone deaf mouthbreather. Or better yet, hire someone who knows basketball and can name more than players with the first name A'ja and the last name Clark The league is a joke until proven otherwise

Cool Jim2

the get out dodge retirement special

Meghan L. Hall

@itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end of the 2026 WNBA season, the league confirms. @alexaphilippou.bsky.social with the news first.

257h ago

Alexa Philippou

@alexaphilippou.bsky.social

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent this letter to players this morning announcing her retirement:

286h ago

Quoting this

Jonathan Tannenwald6

“I am grateful for your advocacy and your willingness to challenge us to be bold, listen more closely, and think differently. … You made this league stronger, and you made me a better leader.” It would have been nice to hear that in public more often.

Pitch Mr. Perfect

@michaelwaterloo.bsky.social

It’s important that everyone remembers that the #WNBA commissioner - and all sports commissioners - work for the owners first and foremost.

227h ago

Annie Costabile

@anniecostabile.bsky.social

BREAKING: WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of 2026, the league announced. www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...

147h ago

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has decided to retire at the end of the ongoing WNBA season, per Shams.

157h ago

Jonathan Tannenwald

@jtannenwald.bsky.social

I had wanted to come on here and say something about how it seems really good that not only did the U.S. win its World Cup opener in a blowout, but all 12 players on the roster got double-digit minutes on the floor. Then Cathy Engelbert announced she's retiring, and that overtook the headlines.

97h ago

Josh Vetter

@joshvetter.bsky.social

Cathy Engelbert watched as the WNBA, led by it's players, reached new heights of popularity. And proceeded to do nothing when the sport was infiltrated by dangerous right-wing ideologues. It's the most disgraceful example of cowardice in professional sports and I hope she's remembered accordingly.

117h ago

Sabreena Merchant

@sabreenajm.bsky.social

talking Cathy Engelbert with @anniecostabile.bsky.social and @chanteljennings.bsky.social, come through www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Vo...

115h ago

Lucas Seehafer

@seehafer.bsky.social

The next WNBA commissioner needs to be someone who can communicate effectively and efficiently. It's really that simple.

86h ago

Douglas Farmer

@douglasfarmer.bsky.social

The intro scene can be Cathy's last act as WNBA commissioner, getting booed into absolute obliviion by Target Center as she hands the Lynx a trophy.

86h ago

Jackie Powell

@classicjpow.bsky.social

#ICYMI: There was massive #WNBA news this morning that Cathy Engelbert will retire after the 2026 calendar year. On @theixsports.bsky.social podcast, @howardmegdal.bsky.social and I examined what we know about her thorough succession plan in addition to what her legacy will be.

63h ago

3 sources

nytimes.comWNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert retiring at end of 2026 espn.comSources: WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire latimes.comWNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire, help find successor. 'If we don’t find someone, I’ll stay on'

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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire at end of 2026

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