The WNBA has begun interviewing candidates to replace outgoing commissioner Cathy Engelbert, although a timeline for selecting her successor remains uncertain.

Engelbert provided an update on the search Thursday, following the league's annual competition committee meetings, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou. Engelbert described the search as an “ongoing process” and declined to disclose how many candidates are being considered.

Asked whether she expects the league to hire its next commissioner by Dec. 31, Engelbert said, “I hope so.”

The update comes nearly two months after Engelbert announced in September that she would retire following the 2026 WNBA season, ending a tenure that began in 2019 when she became the first commissioner in league history.

Engelbert previously addressed the search ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 17, revealing that she had been working toward identifying her successor for three years.

According to ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Engelbert said at the time that the league had hired Excel to oversee the formal search process. Engelbert and others had submitted recommendations for potential candidates, and she indicated there was considerable interest in the position.

Thursday's comments confirm that the process has progressed, although Engelbert did not identify any candidates or provide additional details about when a final decision might be announced.

Engelbert, 61, announced her retirement after more than seven years leading the WNBA and more than four decades working in business.

“After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner,” Engelbert said in September.

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Her tenure coincided with substantial growth in the league, including increased television viewership and the introduction of private charter flights for teams. The WNBA also experienced heightened interest surrounding players such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised Engelbert's leadership following her retirement announcement.

“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” Silver said. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”

Engelbert's latest comments leave open whether the WNBA will have a new commissioner in place before the end of 2026.