WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert resigns

Cathy Engelbert’s tenure as commissioner of the WNBA is over.

Engelbert released a statement Friday morning announcing that she will be stepping down, ending a seven-year tenure that saw the league reach new heights of popularity and financial success but was also marked by withering criticism from players of her leadership.

Engelbert, who was appointed as the WNBA’s first commissioner in 2019 after serving as the CEO of Deloitte, brokered two collective bargaining agreements, successfully navigated a pandemic season, and helped the league with plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030. The financial gains under her leadership have been unprecedented. She facilitated a $75 million capital raise that was initially viewed as a stabilizing move for the league but has since raised questions about the long-term implications of further convoluting the league’s ownership structure.

In 2024, the WNBA secured an 11-year media rights deal, which is now worth a reported $3 billion, but the credit for that has largely gone to the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver, who negotiated both leagues’ deals in tandem.

Engelbert has faced criticism from players for her overall leadership style, specifically from players who were outspoken about her lack of personal connection with them. Ultimately, Engelbert oversaw the ratification of a historic CBA, leading to player salaries that surpassed $1 million for the first time, and a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model that ties players’ salaries to revenue in a meaningful way.

During WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago in July, Engelbert was asked whether she expected to be the league’s commissioner beyond the 2026 season. She avoided a definitive answer but said she was “blessed to be at the helm of this league during this incredible hyper-growth.”

This story will be updated.