Overview
- Cathy Engelbert announced on Sept. 4 that she will retire at the end of 2026 and will remain in office through Dec. 31 if no successor is ready.
- A Sports Business Journal column reported that Engelbert never attended an Indiana Fever regular-season home game after Caitlin Clark joined the league, a detail that has intensified scrutiny of her engagement with players.
- Multiple unnamed WNBA executives told reporters that a commissioner must ‘‘show up’’ to build trust and relationships, a criticism that has been echoed by players and coaches.
- Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said the next commissioner should unite the league and be ‘‘players-first,’’ and Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve publicly ruled out seeking the job while outlining traits she wants in a successor.
- ESPN and other outlets report the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver are expected to lead the hiring process soon and that a shortlist of potential candidates is already circulating, meaning the league’s next leader will be chosen under close NBA oversight.