Cathy Engelbert faces criticism in eighth WNBA season; columnist urges a co-commissioner for player relations
Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA commissioner, is facing sustained criticism and calls for her resignation in 2026 as she serves her eighth season; the league’s commercial growth under her tenure sits alongside public complaints about player relations, officiating inconsistencies, online abuse and scheduling.
The WNBA’s top executive role evolved from a president’s office to a commissioner in 2019; Val Ackerman was the league’s first president from 1996 to 2005 and helped establish the WNBA, expanding it to 16 teams and negotiating the first collective bargaining agreement in 1999 while enduring a mass ownership exodus in 2003. Engelbert was appointed commissioner in May 2019 after four years as Deloitte’s CEO, and ten months later she was widely praised for leadership when the league completed a virtual draft and a shortened “bubble” season during the Covid shutdown.
Despite those achievements, Engelbert’s office has been criticised after what the article describes as a contentious 18-month labour battle that she helped resolve; stakeholders and fans continue to question the league’s handling of online abuse, inconsistencies in officiating and what critics call a lack of player engagement. The piece notes examples of public anger such as Instagram comments blaming Engelbert for multiple games scheduled at the same time and boos directed at her during an on-court awards ceremony.
The columnist frames Engelbert’s mandate as primarily business-focused, writing that her main job is rooted in the league’s bottom line and that she works for owners and investors rather than the players. During negotiations for the latest CBA, Engelbert was pitted against the players and their union, with owners described as protecting their investments and pushing back on players’ demands; the article says Engelbert spoke for owners and the league front office as a whole.
Engelbert has received both praise and blame for high-profile league moments: the article cites her role in facilitating the Atlanta Dream’s sale from owner Kelly Loeffler, who the piece says showed disdain for the league’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and contrasts that with criticism for events such as rallies supporting Sophie Cunningham after her comments opposing transgender athletes.
Player voices cited in the piece underline the relationship issues the columnist highlights. Napheesa Collier said, “We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world,” Collier said, “but right now we have the worst leadership in the world.” The article reports that WNBA great Elena Delle Donne said she never heard from Engelbert after announcing her retirement; Candace Parker said she was congratulated by the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, after the birth of her third child and received a Christmas gift from him every year, but didn’t hear from Engelbert; and A’ja Wilson, four-time MVP and two-time defensive player of the year, says she only hears from Engelbert when she’s handing her an award.
As a remedy, the columnist proposes hiring a co-commissioner dedicated to player relations to re-engage athletes, suggesting Lisa Leslie as the first interview candidate and noting the recommendation that it be “A Black woman for a league that has zero Black female head coaches.” The writer also says they would take a firm stand against the racist, homophobic and transphobic “fans” who have infiltrated the WNBA and would remind people that the W is a progressive league that stands for inclusion.
This is an extract from WNBA 30, where Jordan Robinson covers the biggest stories in the league on and off the court each week. Subscribe for free here.