Cathy Engelbert, who steered the WNBA through the most expansive stretch in its 30-year history, will retire at the end of 2026, the league announced on Friday, closing out more than seven years in charge.
Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, told reporters she had weighed the decision for months. She becomes the second-longest tenured president or commissioner in league history. “When I first came to the league I intended to do this for 3 1/2 years,” she said. “The 7 1/2 years exceeded that time.”
Her tenure produced a run of landmark deals for the sport. This past spring she helped negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that delivered the league’s first million-dollar player salaries. The WNBA also completed a long-term media rights arrangement and pushed through expansion during her time in office.
Engelbert pointed to those achievements as the reason the timing felt right. “This is a really good time given the financial transformation journey we’ve been on,” she said. “Getting the collective bargaining agreement done, getting a long-term media rights deal done, getting expansion done. It’s a good time to hand it off to the next leader.”
Her stewardship was not without friction. Engelbert faced criticism from players over aspects of her leadership, and the CBA negotiations were at times contentious. She insisted the decision to step aside was entirely her own and that she felt no pressure from NBA or WNBA stakeholders to leave.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver credited her with overseeing the league’s growth. Silver said in announcing her departure, adding that the league was grateful for her commitment to women’s basketball.
The commissioner said she had been developing a succession plan over the past several years. She declined to name candidates but confirmed the league is considering both internal and external figures to take over. During her tenure the WNBA also broadened its calendar and playoff structure, expanding the season and adjusting the Finals format ahead of new teams joining.
Engelbert will remain in the role through December while the league conducts its search. The next commissioner will inherit a franchise on firmer financial footing, with fresh media money, expansion clubs and the sport’s first seven-figure salaries already in place.