Given all that has happened, dumping Englebert will be easy, but finding a competent replacement will be difficult. Still, it has to happen.
The WNBA experienced growth in ratings and revenue with Caitlin Clark’s presence, along with players such as Breanna Stewart, 2025 MVP A’ja Wilson, and runner-up Napheesa Collier. Despite all that, these last two seasons have been toxic under the incompetent leadership of commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Lousy officiating, infighting among players, and contemptible CBA negotiations are on Engelbert. That comes with part of the territory of being a commissioner, and the lockout should be the least of her worries right now. The big question is: How long can she hold onto her job?
Make no mistake. Collier called her out for being a commissioner who can’t lead, saying players who complain about refs are losers and being disrespectful to Clark after saying she and other players should be grateful the league made her in getting all these endorsements. It’s going to be hard for Engelbert to recover from this.
Cheryl Reeve (photo courtesy AP)
Combine what Collier had to say with what Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve did, tearing into the league’s officiating after the Lynx’s 84-76 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the semifinals. The coach lost it after Collier suffered an ankle injury in a collision that led to a turnover by the Mercury. The commissioner responded by fining her $15,000, the largest in league history, and suspending her for a game. The sanctions hit especially hard because the Mercury eliminated the Lynx with an 86-81 victory in Game 4.
For good measure, the league also suspended Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon for supporting Reeve’s comments on the officiating that plagued the league.
Engelbert has no solutions, which is why she has to go. The players clearly have no use for her—nothing she says or does will improve the situation at this point. Once you lose the players, it’s hard to get them back.
When she goes out of her way to make it okay for players to attack Clark and even takes a shot at her in the process, she is not a fit to run a league at all. She has to remember the players make the league, not the owners or her, for that matter. For Engelbert to say Angel Reese and Clark hating each other is good business sends the wrong message. Personal rivalries in team sports are one thing, but open hostility is another and is often uncalled for.
There has to be a change of leadership in the WNBA. Previous commissioners came from a corporate background. That won’t do in today’s world. The next commissioner must have a basketball background to run the league and foster trust with players and coaches.
I want a commissioner who truly likes basketball. I want a commissioner who is not a lawyer. It’s on NBA commissioner Adam Silver to find that right person moving forward. Dumping Englebert will be easy, but finding a competent replacement will be difficult. Still, it has to happen.
The future of the league depends on it.
