Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jul 25, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks with media before the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game at United Center.
When the 2026 WNBA season concludes in the coming weeks, so will the reign of current league commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
While Engelbert has received plenty of criticism during her time as the head of the league, she has also overseen the largest period of growth in the league’s history.
Prior to Saturday’s opening game of the WNBA Finals, Engelbert discussed what her expectations are of her replacement, as well as what that person will need to do in order to continue moving the league forward.
Cathy Engelbert Lays Out Expectations For Next WNBA Commissioner
“It’s like a multi-dimensional role. You have to have very thick skin,” Engelbert said during the pre-Finals press conference. “You have to have confidence that we can continue this growth trajectory, and confidence in building relationships with players and agents, and the Board of Governors, the owners, and the stakeholders.”
If anyone would know about needing thick skin, it’s Engelbert. In the last year alone, she’s faced criticism from players, fans, and seemingly every angle in the media.
Sure, Engelbert could well have handled a number of situations better. However, it’s undeniable that the league has become significantly more valuable and popular under her watch. Continuing that trend is something that she says now falls to her replacement.
“I would tell the next commissioner that we’ve got to continue [the growth] and get into a sustained growth period for the league office,” Engelbert said. “And then the teams are still in hyper growth and still support the teams in their growth objectives because teams have grown a lot.”
The WNBA has not yet announced Engelbert’s replacement; however, Jordan Brand executive Sarah Mensah, as well as WNBA executive Bethany Donaphin and NBA President of Global Business Development Amy Brooks, appear to be among the leading candidates.