{"id":184181,"date":"2025-10-02T04:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T04:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/184181\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T04:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T04:21:08","slug":"stephen-a-smith-calls-on-wnbas-cathy-engelbert-to-resign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/184181\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith calls on WNBA’s Cathy Engelbert to resign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shortly after Napheesa Collier publicly criticized Cathy Engelbert on Tuesday, Sports Business Journal reported<\/a> that the WNBA commissioner was \u201clikely\u201d to exit the league<\/a> following its upcoming CBA negotiations.<\/p>\n

If it were up to Stephen A. Smith, it wouldn\u2019t take that long.<\/p>\n

Appearing on Wednesday\u2019s episode of First Take, Smith discussed the latest controversy surrounding the WNBA. In particular, Smith took issue with Engelbert\u2019s response to Collier\u2019s comments, going as far as to state that he believes she should resign from her role.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me say for the record: you should resign,\u201d Smith said of Engelbert. \u201cWhen a player \u2014 any player \u2014 but especially one of that magnitude attacks you publicly like that, that weak ass statement that Commissioner Engelbert gave is not good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith calls on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to resign following her response to Napheesa Collier\u2019s criticism.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a player \u2014 any player \u2014 but especially one of that magnitude attacks you publicly like that, that weak ass statement that Commissioner Engelbert\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/T8OJzC6Oqi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s comments come in reference to the statement that the WNBA commissioner issued in response to Collier\u2019s criticism<\/a>. After the Minnesota Lynx star referenced previous conversations she had in which Engelbert allegedly dismissed concerns regarding the league\u2019s officiating and said that Caitlin Clark should be \u201cgrateful\u201d to the WNBA for the sponsorships she has received, the commissioner released the following statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith said that he was so baffled by the statement that he personally reached out to the WNBA to invite Engelbert to appear on Wednesday\u2019s episode of First Take to clarify her stance. He also referenced the league\u2019s upcoming CBA negotiations, stating that the league \u201ccan\u2019t have her at the negotiating table talking to players\u201d after responding with such a \u201ctimid tepid statement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day you have a star player in the league saying the commissioner \u2014 this individual \u2014 is in the way of all of us,\u201d Smith said \u201cAnd that was her statement? I believe she should hand in her resignation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suffice it to say, pressure against Engelbert is mounting. And that doesn\u2019t just include from one of the league\u2019s most prominent players, but also the biggest star of its top media partner.<\/p>\n

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