The WNBA announced Friday morning that Cathy Engelbert will be retiring as league commissioner at the end of the calendar year.
Engelbert was appointed first-ever commissioner of the league in 2019 and oversaw the league through the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure, the WNBA saw historic growth in viewership and most recently, the negotiation of one of the most impactful collective bargaining agreements in professional sports.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Retire at the End of 2026 pic.twitter.com/Ul7qV4dm33
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) September 4, 2026
“After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner,” Engelbert said. “In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league’s first commissioner and to lead a league with enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation. Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports.”
The league has not yet announced what the search process will be for the role or who will assume the role at the end of the year.
