Cathy Engelbert will retire as WNBA commissioner at the end of the 2026 season following seven years at the helm, the league announced Friday.
"Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women's sports," Engelbert said in a statement. "I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined. I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become. I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come."
Multiple high-ranking team sources had recently told ESPN that they believed the 2026 season would likely be Engelbert's last. While Engelbert, 61, has ushered the WNBA into what she's called "hypergrowth" mode, transforming the league into a significantly more prominent sports and entertainment property, her leadership had come into question over the past year.
Prominently, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier said in an explosive end-of-season interview last year that Engelbert was "negligent" in her governance and that the WNBA had the "worst leadership in the world."
Shortly after Collier's remarks -- which received widespread support from players -- Engelbert vowed to address any concerns and do better, but sources across the league have told ESPN since that the commissioner has still struggled to develop sufficient relationship equity, not just among players but also owners and upper-level management.
There was increasing discontent in league circles, according to sources, with what many believe is a reactive approach in responding to emerging crises, such as continued officiating problems as well as vitriolic behavior and harassment directed toward players. Engelbert's style and approach have been cited as problematic, while others believe that accessibility and communication between the league and teams have been hurdles.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Engelbert insisted that the decision to leave was solely her own and that she did not feel any pressure to step down from NBA or WNBA stakeholders.
"When I first came to the league I intended to do this for 3½ years," she said. "The 7½ 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 a long-term media rights deal done, getting expansion done."
She said she has been working on a succession plan over the past few years. While she didn't give any specifics on who might be considered for the position, Engelbert did say there are both internal and external potential candidates on the league's radar.
Addressing league issues, Engelbert said the online attacks of players are unacceptable and that she backs league initiatives to protect players. She also said there should be no confusion on the transgender question and that there are "no current eligibility issues in the WNBA."
Tabbed the WNBA's first commissioner in May 2019 -- the previous leaders served as presidents -- Engelbert has overseen a dramatic transformation of the WNBA's business model. The league's media rights deals are worth $3.1 billion, the season will increase to a record 50 games, and 18 markets will have teams by 2030 after nearly two decades at 12 franchises.
She also helped navigate two collective bargaining agreements, the first in January 2020 and the second this March. The newest CBA, secured after a tense negotiation between the WNBA and players' union, features the league's first $1 million salaries and the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports.
While there was a strained partnership between the commissioner and players during the CBA negotiations, Engelbert insists she has a good relationship with them.
Engelbert was also credited with ensuring the league held the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was played in a bubble environment in Bradenton, Florida, and Engelbert has since called that an "existential" moment for the league.
The next commissioner will be the sixth leader of the WNBA, which is in its 30th season. Barring a change in leadership structure, the commissioner would continue to report to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
"Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league's 30-year history," Silver said in a statement. "We are grateful for Cathy's leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women's basketball."
