Cathy Engelbert has led the WNBA through a period marked by both significant growth and challenges. Under her leadership since 2019, the league expanded its teams, increased attendance and viewership, boosted revenue from media deals, and raised player salaries. At the same time, the WNBA faced controversies related to aggressive physical play, refereeing, racial issues, and transgender participation.
The league’s popularity surged notably in 2024 when the Indiana Fever drafted Caitlin Clark as the number one pick. Clark’s arrival instantly made the Fever the league’s most popular team, consistently selling out games in Indianapolis and other cities. However, an unusual fact revealed by Sports Business Journal writer Tom Friend is that Engelbert has never attended a Fever home game during Clark’s time in the league.
Several team executives expressed surprise at this revelation, finding it hard to believe. By the close of the 2026 regular season, the Fever will have played 62 home games, providing ample chances for the commissioner to attend, despite Clark missing some games due to injuries.
Engelbert’s term concludes after this season, and some within the league suggest that the next commissioner will need to prioritize building strong relationships with players, coaches, and general managers—Clark in particular. One executive emphasized the importance of consistent presence and genuine care: being there every weekend and fostering trust so that difficult conversations can be approached constructively.
For those interested, the full article shares further insights on priorities for the incoming commissioner as well as potential candidates to take over the role.
Fan Take: WNBA fans crave visible leadership and connection from the league’s top officials, especially during such a pivotal moment of growth. The new commissioner’s ability to engage directly with star players like Caitlin Clark could be vital in sustaining the league’s momentum and deepening its fanbase.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
