WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of the year, ending her more than seven years at the helm of the league and a tenure that has been transformative and, at times, tumultuous. Engelbert is the second-longest serving WNBA president or commissioner, and helped negotiate a lucrative collective bargaining agreement last spring that resulted in the league’s first set of multimillion-dollar player salaries. That growth has been accompanied by a series of headline-grabbing distractions for the league under his leadership, especially in the last year. She had a strained relationship with players during contract negotiations, and the 2026 season has been dominated by controversies surrounding officiating and the transgender debate along with a slew of social media backlash against WNBA participants. Engelbert told The Associated Press that the decision to leave was solely his and that he did not feel any pressure to resign from NBA or WNBA stakeholders prior to Friday’s announcement. She insists that she has a good relationship with the players. While conversations between the commissioner and the players have been complicated, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, vice president of the WNBA players’ union executive committee, said Friday that she is happy for Engelbert. “What he’s done for the league is incredible,” Stewart said. “Obviously the collective bargaining agreement negotiation was difficult, but the way both sides continue to get a big win is really important. I’m really happy for her and I hope she continues to remember that and reflect on it.” Stewart had said before the All-Star Game in July that there was respect for Engelbert among the players, but not much of a relationship. Engelbert, who will turn 62 in November, told the AP that he has been thinking about retiring for months. “When I first came to the league I intended to do this for three and a half years,” he said in a phone interview. “The seven and a half years exceeded that time. This is a really good time given the financial transformation journey we’ve been on. Getting the collective bargaining agreement done, getting the long-term media rights deal done, getting the expansion done.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert in the announcement. “Cathy has presided over the WNBA during the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” he said. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and her unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.” Engelbert: Several unnamed successors on league’s radar The WNBA commissioner said she has been working on a succession plan for the past few years. While he did not provide details on who could be considered for the position, Engelbert did say that there are potential candidates both internal and external on the league’s radar. “It’s a good time to hand it over to the next leader to take the ‘W’ to a better phase,” he said. “I’m proud of the team we built and everything we accomplished. A leader knows when it’s time to put down the microphone and move on after building a strong team in the league office.” Engelbert added that she has mixed feelings about her departure: “I love women’s basketball and I’m not going anywhere yet. In the four months left we will have a real succession process. If we don’t find someone, I will stay,” she said. “I had no transition. I walked in the door and was alone as no one transitioned me into this role. “I look forward to assisting this upcoming leadership transition especially considering the elevation of this league.” The WNBA has grown at an exponential rate during Engelbert’s tenure as commissioner, with record-breaking television ratings, huge attendance, a new long-term media rights deal and an expansion to 18 teams by the end of the decade. “I was hired as a business leader to transform the business,” he said. “I look at revenue and merchandise, viewership and attendance,” he said, noting how everyone has improved. “A great leader senses when it’s time for someone else to come in. “When I came in, this league was facing questions about our long-term viability and sustainability.” Turmoil and tension are part of Engelbert’s tenure Engelbert said the league’s growth has “exceeded her expectations” since she took over her role after leaving her previous role as president of Deloitte in 2019. In addition to the new collective bargaining agreement, the list of things she is most proud of includes securing charter travel for players, keeping the league running during the coronavirus pandemic, the historic rights agreement of media and the exponential increase in the value of WNBA franchises. In 2019, the average value of a WNBA franchise was $10 million; in 2026, it will be approximately $460 million. However, along with the financial gains, turmoil and tension have accompanied the growth of the WNBA. league has done enough to ensure their safety. The league has also been at the center of discussions about transgender athletes playing in the league. Engelbert has repeatedly said that online attacks on players are unacceptable and supports the league’s efforts to protect players. He also said there should be no confusion about the transgender issue. and the players.” Engelbert sent a letter to all the players on Friday morning in which she wrote that she was “enormously proud of what we have accomplished together, deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead alongside you, and complete confidence that the future of the WNBA is brighter than ever.” What’s next for Engelbert? Engelbert said she’s ready to do what most retirees plan to do: spend more time with family. She also admitted that the online hate she receives has affected her family, although he did not share details of the impact. “There have been some difficult parts of that in my family with the vitriol and hate that I receive online,” Engelbert said. His retirement will make his mother happy. “My mom will be 90 this year and she said that ‘it would be nice if you retired to spend more time with me,’” Engelbert said, laughing. “I have two children, I barely see one of them.” time with us.” On January 1, his family will get his wish.___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
