‘Transformative’ Tenure: Englebert To Retire As WNBA Commissioner
Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 04:28PM By Barry Janoff
Photo: WNBASeptember 4, 2026: There will be a changing of the guard in the WNBA, not on the court but in the front office as the league said that commissioner Cathey Englebert plans to retire at the end of 2026.
Engelbert has been commissioner since July 2019. She previously served as the first female CEO of Deloitte.
“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said via the league “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”
The move was not completely unexpected as here has been a growing vocal opposition within the league regarding the way WNBA operations are being handled.
The WNBA did not indicate who might be in line to become the WNBA’s second commissioner (the office was previously known as president).
The league is currently on hiatus due to the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, but will resume play later this moth heading to the post-season.
“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 via the league.
“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.”
The WNBA said that Engelbert’s tenure as WNBA commissioner “has been marked by unprecedented growth”
In 2026, the league’s 30th anniversary season , the average value of a WNBA franchise is approximately $460 million, up Fromm $10 million in 2019.
The Golden State Valkyries paid a $50 million expansion fee, Toronto Tempo’s ownership group paid a $115 million expansion fee, Portland $125 million, according to industry analysts.
During her tenure, the league has seen exponential increases in viewership, with highs in digital engagement, game attendance, League Pass subscribers, merchandise sales, corporate partnership revenues and franchise valuations.
Engelbert has overseen the WNBA’s most substantial franchise expansion to date – from 12 to 18 teams by 2030 – and helped negotiate what the WNBA called “the most transformative media rights and collective bargaining agreements in league history, leading to historic salary increases and benefits for WNBA players.”
In 2022, Engelbert led a $75 million capital raise – the largest-ever investment round in women’s sports – to fund long-term growth initiatives, including marketing and fan engagement, upgrading the WNBA’s digital products and distribution, and growing the league’s footprint internationally. She also introduced an airline charter program for teams and players to travel privately to all games, a first for women’s professional team sports in the U.S.
“I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined."
In 2021, she introduced the in-season WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase and in 2025, expanded the regular-season schedule to a then-record 44 games and to a record 50-game schedule beginning with the 2027 season.
“I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined,” said Engelbert.
“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.”
“Leading through this much change is no small undertaking, and I have great respect for the commitment Cathy brought to the role,” Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president and Los Angeles Sparks forward, said via the organization
“We appreciate all she has given to the WNBA and the stronger foundation she leaves for the league and the players."
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