WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces retirement at end of season

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has decided to retire at the end of the season, per an announcement from the league.

Engelbert stepped into the role in May of 2019. This came after a lengthy tenure as the CEO of Deloitte LLP, where she was the first female United States CEO of a “Big Four” firm.

During her tenure at the WNBA, Engelbert has overseen impressive growth of the game both on-the-court and off, with the league expanding to San Francisco, Portland, and Toronto, as well as upcoming expansion franchises landing in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.

Engelbert also oversaw the league during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating the “Wubble” to allow the team to continue playing in an isolated environment, similar to the NBA’s “Bubble.”

Her tenure also saw a new Collective Bargaining Agreement enacted in 2025, which increased compensation for players. Engelbert was subject to criticism during and after that process, with player compensation still lagging behind the league’s expanding revenue.

In a statement, Engelbert called it a “privilege” to serve as the WNBA’s first commissioner.

“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,” said Engelbert. “In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league’s first commissioner and to lead a league with enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation. Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised her “leadership and unwavering commitment” to the league.

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

“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,” added Engelbert.

There’s no doubt that the WNBA exploded under Engelbert’s leadership, but her legacy will be complicated. She was often criticized by players and media on a variety of subjects, including salaries, a failure to protect athletes for hated, and disingenuous public statements. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who currently serves as the Vice President of the WNBAPA, blasted Engelbert last year.

The WNBA grew exponentially with Engelbert in charge, but it still has so much room to improve. Whoever succeeds her will be stepping into a high-pressure role at a critical time for the league.

We’ll update this story as it develops.