Cathy Engelbert will step down as WNBA Commissioner at the end of 2026, concluding a transformative seven-year tenure since her appointment in 2019 as the league’s first commissioner. Her leadership marked a period of remarkable growth for the WNBA, highlighted by expanded media deals, unprecedented attendance records, and an increase in the number of teams from 12 to 18. Engelbert expressed pride in guiding the league from one with significant untapped potential to a more widely recognized and valued entity, celebrating the players' role in driving the cultural momentum around women's sports.

Under Engelbert’s watch, the WNBA hit significant milestones, including the 2026 All-Star Game at Chicago’s United Center outselling the NBA's equivalent event, and reaching more than 73 million unique viewers across 117 national broadcasts by mid-2026, up from 63 million the previous season. The league saw the addition of new franchises such as the Golden State Valkyries (2025), Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo (2026), with future expansions planned in Cleveland (2027), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030). These moves positioned the WNBA as a rapidly expanding and increasingly influential professional sports league.

However, Engelbert’s tenure was not without controversy and challenges. The league grappled with player criticisms addressing concerns about safety, toxic fan culture, and fairness in officiating. Notably, tensions arose over pay disparities for rookies under the previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and communication issues between players and league management. Napheesa Collier, WNBPA first vice-president, publicly voiced these issues, reflecting growing demands from players for better treatment and more transparency amid the league’s swift commercialization and growth.

Looking ahead, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will decide Engelbert’s successor, a pivotal choice that will shape the WNBA’s future leadership approach. With the league bigger and more visible than ever yet increasingly vocal about player needs and diversity in leadership, there is speculation the next commissioner could be someone with direct WNBA playing experience. Such a leader could better bridge the gap between league executives and players, potentially signaling a commitment to elevate women and former players into prominent decision-making roles in guiding the league’s next phase of development.