Cathy Engelbert to retire as WNBA commissioner

Cathy Engelbert will retire as WNBA commissioner at the end of the calendar year, the league announced Friday. Engelbert, 61, has overseen what she called "hypergrowth" in the WNBA, transforming the league into a significantly more prominent sports and entertainment property. Her retirement will be effective as of Dec. 31.

Engelbert faced scrutiny in recent months over her leadership.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Engelbert said she intended to work for 3½ years when she first came to the league. "The 7½ years exceeded that time," she said. "This is a really good time given the financial transformation journey we've been on.

Since taking the title of WNBA commissioner in May 2019 -- the first to hold that title rather than president -- Engelbert oversaw dramatic business transformation. The league's media rights deals are worth $3.1 billion, the season will increase to a record 50 games, and 18 markets will have teams by 2030 after nearly two decades at 12 franchises. In 2019, the average value of a WNBA franchise was $10 million; in 2026, it is about $460 million.

The newest collective bargaining agreement, secured this March, features the league's first $1 million salaries and the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports. Engelbert also helped navigate a previous CBA in January 2020. New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, vice president of the WNBA players' union executive committee, said Friday that she was happy for Engelbert.