Sport
CROSS-SPECTRUM
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement Effective End of Year
Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA’s first commissioner since 2019, will step down at the close of this calendar year.
The league confirmed that Cathy Engelbert, who has led the WNBA through expansion, new TV contracts and revenue growth, will retire at year-end. Her tenure began in 2019, making her the organization’s inaugural commissioner. Engelbert’s leadership also faced criticism during the contentious collective bargaining talks in 2025. Prior to her role in the WNBA, she rose through Deloitte, eventually becoming its first female chief executive officer.
Why it matters
Engelbert’s departure ends a pivotal era for the WNBA as it continues to grow its audience and commercial footprint.
In this story
Cathy EngelbertWNBAretirementcommissionerexpansionTV dealsrevenue growthcollective bargainingDeloitte
