WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of the 2026 season, according to a league announcement released on Friday, September 4, 2026. Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, has served as the league’s first commissioner for seven years. She is expected to lead a succession plan and has already submitted a list of internal and external candidates for consideration.
Engelbert joined the WNBA in May 2019 after serving as the president of Deloitte. During her tenure, she oversaw the expansion of the league from 12 teams to 18 by 2030, with new franchises added in San Francisco, Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. She also managed the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic at a central location in Florida and oversaw a media rights deal valued at $3.1 billion.
While the league experienced growth, Engelbert faced criticism regarding her leadership. Napheesa Collier, vice president of the players' union executive committee, described the league's leadership as negligent and the "worst leadership in the world" in 2025. Recently, the league has addressed inquiries regarding transgender athletes after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared interest in the WNBA draft. Engelbert also responded to criticism regarding the number of hard fouls directed at Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark during her first three seasons.
The transition affects WNBA players, team owners, and corporate partners who have seen the financial scale of the league shift during Engelbert's tenure. According to league data, the average valuation of a WNBA franchise rose from $10 million in 2019 to approximately $460 million in 2026. This increase in valuation, alongside a $3.1 billion media rights agreement, has been accompanied by the league's first million-dollar salaries and the implementation of charter travel for athletes.
For the league's players, the leadership change occurs as they navigate ongoing safety concerns. Players have reported an increase in social media vitriol, and the next commissioner will inherit the responsibility of managing player relations and safety protocols. The change will also impact how the league handles emerging policy issues, such as eligibility requirements for transgender athletes, which Engelbert characterized as a "complex and nuanced" topic that requires continued discussion with the players' association.
The next commissioner is expected to take office effective January 1, 2027. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the final stages of the league's expansion to 18 teams by 2030 and implementing the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. While Engelbert has provided a list of potential successors, the league has not yet named a replacement. The outgoing commissioner stated she intends to focus on spending time with her family following her departure.