WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire on December 30

Cathy Engelbert will retire as WNBA commissioner on December 30, ending more than seven years in charge of the women’s basketball league.

Engelbert, appointed in 2019 as the WNBA’s first commissioner, announced the decision in a statement shared by the league. Her tenure included the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, subsequent schedule growth and an expansion plan that is set to take the league from 12 teams to 18 by 2030.

The league also secured an 11-year media-rights agreement worth $3.1 billion and reached a new collective bargaining agreement with players in 2026. The labor deal raised the salary cap, introduced a larger revenue-sharing arrangement and ensured the season began on schedule after months of difficult negotiations.

Engelbert’s departure also follows sustained criticism from some players over communication and the league’s response to threats and other concerns. She acknowledged during the 2026 All-Star weekend that communication needed to improve.

The WNBA has not identified a successor in the source material. Engelbert’s final day is scheduled for December 30, 2026.