Cathy Engelbert Retires from WNBA: 3 Commissioner Candidates

Cathy Engelbert is about to announce her retirement as WNBA commissioner. Who might succeed her within the W throne?

Whereas a few of its outstanding stars compete within the FIBA Ladies’s Basketball World Cup, the WNBA introduced forth some intriguing information again stateside on Friday.

Cathy Engelbert, the league’s first commissioner, introduced that she is going to retire from her submit on the finish of this calendar 12 months, ending what will likely be a seven-year tenure. Engelbert’s departure was first reported by Alexa Philippou of ESPN and confirmed in a league assertion.

“After greater than seven years on the WNBA and greater than 40 complete years in enterprise, I’ve made the choice to retire as WNBA Commissioner,” Engelbert mentioned within the assertion.  “In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league’s first commissioner and to steer a league with huge potential but untapped consciousness and vital undervaluation. Over time, it has been wonderful to observe WNBA gamers thrive and lead the large cultural surge round ladies’s sports activities.”

WNBA Gamers Affiliation president Nneka Ogwumike launched a press release in response to the information.

„Because the league’s first Commissioner, she championed new development initiatives, created revolutionary advertising and marketing alternatives for gamers, and helped drive historic enlargement as franchise values reached new heights,“ added Ogwumike. „That enlargement speaks to the rising confidence amongst traders, companions, followers, communities, the gamers, and to the long-term sustainability of girls’s basketball as a enterprise. Main via this a lot change is not any small enterprise, and I’ve nice respect for the dedication Cathy delivered to the position. We respect all she has given to the WNBA and the stronger basis she leaves for the league and the gamers.“

Doable Replacements as WNBA Commissioner

Engelbert was the primary to carry the title of WNBA commissioner, with earlier leaders going with the title of president. Her tenure was marked by developments such because the ratification of a groundbreaking collective bargaining settlement, expanded league and roster sizes, and a brand new media deal whereas some gamers have been vital of her management. This was significantly through the CBA negotiations that lasted via the cusp of the season premiere.

Engelbert’s departure begs the query of what, or who, is subsequent for a league that has made simple development within the mainstream consciousness. Names from each the sports activities and enterprise circuits will little doubt be thought-about, with Engelbert beforehand making a reputation for herself as CEO of Deloitte. With the ink on Engelbert’s farewell letter drying, BIL has three early candidates from the previous realm …

Micky Lawler

Following some tense negotiations that just about infiltrated the landmark thirtieth season, the WNBA might search for a reputation that may pique the curiosity of gamers whereas sustaining the administration expertise obligatory for cover of a backside line. That might make them Lawler, the previous tennis govt who now serves because the commissioner of Unequalled, the home three-on-three league set to return for its third season this winter.

Lawler might convey one of the best of each worlds to the desk. Unequalled has primarily succeeded as an in-person expertise, thriving when it broke out of its South Floridian shell, as visits to Brooklyn and Philadelphia set attendance information at these respective arenas. Lawler’s relationship with Unequalled founders and WNBA/WNBPA headliners Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart might additionally soothe any potential awkwardness between the gamers and a brand new commissioner.

Micky Lawler is OFFICIALLY UNRIVALED 😎 Say good day to our FIRST-EVER COMMISH @MickyLawler pic.twitter.com/n97IgKciFl

— Unequalled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) June 27, 2024

Nneka Ogwumike

Engelbert follows Ogwumike into the nice unknown, with the present Los Angeles Spark nearing the ultimate 4 video games of an achieved WNBA profession. From the minute Ogwumike made her announcement, the concept of the present WNBA Gamers Affiliation president taking up for Engelbert generated no less than some momentum.

It is uncommon to see gamers ascend to main enterprise positions within the sports activities realm, however Ogwumike’s equally achieved work within the boardroom (having overseen a number of CBA negotiation durations on behalf of gamers) provides her a novel edge. On this period of rising participant empowerment, Ogwumike might function an excellent bridge between gamers and administration. Ogwumike has said that she won’t be prepared for such duties fairly but, however making one of the best of an ungainly scenario has partly outlined her taking part in profession, so it’d hardly be a shock to see her thrive in such a place.

EXCLUSIVE: @nnekaogwumike is looking it a profession after this season. pic.twitter.com/wrvFCQpGcK

— Boardroom (@boardroom) August 19, 2026

Jess Smith

Probably the most undeniably sturdy bullets that Engelbert has on her WNBA resume is the truth that group valuations steadily elevated beneath her watch. Loads of notable minds made that occur, in fact, and Smith oversaw essentially the most outstanding instance down by the Bay (Space): the inaugural president of the Golden State Valkyries has taken fairly the profitable experience, because the sophomore squad grew to become the primary ladies’s skilled sports activities franchise valued at $1 billion.

For her efforts, the previous Angel Metropolis Soccer Membership head of income was named the debut winner of the WNBA’s Enterprise Government Management Award meant to acknowledge „distinctive management in driving significant enterprise transformation.“ At simply 39, Smith is already on the league’s radar. Somebody who has primarily developed amidst the league’s development may very well be the fitting voice to steer it into the long run.

There’s nothing fairly like Ballhalla ⚔️💜@valkyries President Jess Smith speaks on the atmosphere The Bay has created and what All-Star followers can count on subsequent summer time! pic.twitter.com/jYW19zGxIY

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 18, 2026

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags