“Have Very Thick Skin”: Cathy Engelbert Shares Unfiltered Advice for Next Commissioner, Offers Insight Around Succession Plan

analysis

The WNBA’s development has actually changed the league into a much larger service, however that development has actually likewise brought huge analysis of the management. Now, as existing commissioner Cathy Engelbert prepares to step far from the league, she has a clear message for the next individual who takes control of the commissioner’s workplace: the task requires more than simply company acumen.

“The excellent news exists’s individuals who truly wish to handle this function, which I believe is fantastic,” Engelbert informed press reporters in her interview before Game 1 of the WNBA finals

“It’s a multidimensional function. You need to have really thick skin … You need to have self-confidence that we can continue this development trajectory and self-confidence in structure relationships with gamers and representatives and the Board of Governors, the owners and the stakeholders.”

Engelbert formerly revealed that she means to retire at the end of 2026, which will mark completion of a seven-year period that started in July 2019. Engelbert was employed from Deloitte to assist grow the WNBA, which dealt with huge unprofitability at the time. She assisted alter that.

Under Engelbert, the WNBA saw enormous development. It started with a $75 million stake sale in 2022, which assisted fund upgrades to the digital and marketing sectors within the league workplaces. Under her guidance, the league saw an enormous cumulative bargaining contract modification following the 2025 season, leading to the league’s very first $1 million incomes.

Engelbert’s period likewise saw the league broaden to numerous brand-new frontiers. The very first of these was available in 2025 with the Golden State Valkyries, and 2026 saw both the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo sign up with the league. 3 more groups are set to join their ranks over the next 3 seasons, embeded in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.

Groups have actually likewise seen their appraisal rise. The Valkyries ended up being the very first expert females’s sports group to be valued at a billion. Contribute to that a number of smaller sized achievements, like growing the main league workplace to almost 100 individuals, opening a brand-new replay center in New Jersey beginning in 2027, and chartered flights for all video games, and Engelbert’s effect ends up being clear.

There have actually been clear locations of enhancement.

Gamers frequently slammed Engelbert’s bad relationship-building, something that just worsened when Napheesa Collier roughly slammed her throughout her 2025 exit interview, calling out Engelbert’s WNBA for having “the worst management worldwide.

That likewise resulted in the CBA settlements extending for the whole 2025 offseason and being dealt with incredibly late. The 2 sides, the league and the gamers, finished the arrangement on May 22, 2 months after the offer was concurred upon. For recommendation, the 2026 season began on May 8.

“This marks the start of a vibrant brand-new period of the WNBA– one enabled by the enthusiasm and devotion of the gamers, group owners, fans, financiers, partners and the whole WNBA household,” Engelbert stated at that time.

Throughout Engelbert’s interview, she likewise exposed that she had actually been dealing with a succession method for 3 and a half years. Presently, the company Excel Search and Advisory has actually been worked with by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to assist discover a replacement.

“There’s a great deal of various attributes we’re all searching for,” Engelbert informed press reporters.

“But I’ve consulted with the search company and getting updates occasionally as they begin to connect to possible prospects. I had prospects I sent; a great deal of us did, and a great deal of individuals have actually called. Fortunately exists’s individuals who truly wish to handle this function, which I believe is terrific.”

Despite who Engelbert’s follower winds up being, it’s clear that the league’s increased exposure has actually brought obstacles together with industrial success. The next commissioner will need to handle the WNBA’s ongoing development while constructing trust throughout a broad stakeholder group. Just time will inform if they can conquer these difficulties while stabilizing gamer relationships.