Cathy Engelbert sends clear message to WNBA successor as league faces pressure over player relationships WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert believes her successor will need strong people skills and the ability to handle pressure as the league enters a new stage of growth. Speaking before Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, Engelbert said the job requires someone who can work closely with players, agents, team owners and other key figures. She plans to retire at the end of 2026 after seven years in the role. Her comments come as the WNBA looks for its next leader while facing growing expectations from players and fans.
Cathy Engelbert Highlights the WNBA’s Growth and the Challenges Facing Its Next Commissioner
Engelbert joined the WNBA in July 2019 after serving as CEO of Deloitte. At the time, the league was struggling financially. Since then, it has expanded its business, added teams and secured better pay for players.The league received a $75 million investment in 2022 to support its growth. The Golden State Valkyries joined in 2025, followed by the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in 2026. Teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia are also planned for the coming years, taking the league to 18 teams by 2030.The Golden State Valkyries also reached a major business milestone, becoming the first professional women’s sports team valued at $1 billion.Player salaries have also increased. The new collective bargaining agreement, approved in March 2026 and formally signed in May, introduced the first $1 million salaries in WNBA history. The deal also brought a new system for sharing league revenue with players.However, Engelbert’s time in charge has not been without problems. Several players have questioned her ability to build strong relationships with them. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier was particularly critical in her 2025 exit interview, describing the league’s leadership as “the worst leadership in the world.”The dispute over the new collective bargaining agreement also took months to settle. Although both sides reached a deal in March 2026, they did not complete the final agreement until May 22, two weeks after the regular season began on May 8.
WNBA Search for Cathy Engelbert’s Successor Focuses on Leadership and Player Relationships
Engelbert said the next commissioner must be ready for the pressure that comes with running a growing league. Speaking to reporters before the Finals, she explained:“The good news is there’s people who really want to take on this role, which I think is great.”She added:“It’s a multidimensional role. You have to have very thick skin. You have to have confidence that we can continue this growth trajectory and confidence in building relationships with players and agents and the Board of Governors, the owners and the stakeholders.”The search for her replacement is already underway. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has hired Excel Search & Advisory to help identify candidates. Engelbert also revealed that she had been working on a succession plan for three and a half years.She has met with the search firm and receives regular updates as it contacts potential candidates. She also said that several people have expressed interest in the position.The next commissioner will have to manage more than the league’s finances. The person will need to keep the business growing while earning the trust of players, supporting team owners and responding to the expectations that come with the WNBA’s rising profile.