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After turbulent WNBA tenure, Cathy Engelbert says successor needs ‘thick skin’

Outgoing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has emphasized that her successor will need resilience and confidence to navigate the league’s future, particularly amid ongoing growth and past controversies. During her seven-year tenure, Engelbert oversaw a landmark collective bargaining agreement in 2025 that increased player salaries fivefold and expanded revenue-sharing terms through 2032, alongside a historic $3.1 billion media rights deal.

However, her leadership faced criticism, including a public rebuke from Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who accused the league of lacking accountability and shared a private exchange where Engelbert dismissed player concerns about officiating. Engelbert also addressed the WNBA’s expansion plans, with three new teams—Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030)—set to join the league, alongside rising TV ratings and player compensation under her watch.

The league’s future will also include navigating complex discussions around transgender athlete participation, following comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham that reignited national debates on the topic.

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