WNBA seeks new commissioner to mend ties with players and Caitlin Clark

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire at the end of December 2026, prompting a league-wide search for a successor who can balance rapid business growth while actively rebuilding strained relationships with players and addressing controversies involving Caitlin Clark.

Across the three full seasons Caitlin Clark has played for the Indiana Fever — 2024, 2025 and 2026 — Cathy Engelbert has never once attended a regular-season Fever home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The lone exception was the 2025 All-Star Game, which happened to be hosted there

Fans didn’t miss that absence.

So following Engelbert’s retirement announcement, one self-proclaimed Indiana Fever fan, Ken Swift, shared a Sports Business Journal report on X, writing: “Yet again, another example of us being told for the last 3 years we were imagining things, and here we are. Good riddance Cathy. Hopefully the new Commissioner will appreciate the person who took you to the dance.”

The Sports Business Journal report also revealed that Engelbert did attempt to visit Indianapolis late in her tenure. A trip was scheduled for August 2026, but the visit was mutually called off before it took place and was never rescheduled.

When asked about the decision, Engelbert declined an interview request through a league spokesperson.

Insiders have offered differing views on the matter. Sources told SBJ that Engelbert was trying to walk a careful line in a league built predominantly by Black women, deliberately trying to avoid showing favoritism toward Clark.

Critics, however, viewed the choice as a missed opportunity to support the player who helped fuel the largest ratings and attendance surge in women’s basketball history.

And the distance between the league office and the players extended beyond Clark.

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier openly criticized the commissioner’s leadership during an end-of-season exit interview with ESPN, calling it negligent and labeling it “the worst leadership in the world.”

Engelbert’s seven-year tenure brought historic commercial success—including a media rights deal and expansion —but her leadership faced severe player backlash.

ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel reported seven people who are being considered as possible candidates.

Swin Cash, the Hall of Fame forward who spent six years in the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office, brings player credibility and executive experience.

The list includes the New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke, who has run one of the league’s flagship franchises since 2020.

Bethany Donaphin, the WNBA’s head of league operations, knows the league’s internal machinery better than almost anyone.

Nike marketing executive Tanya Hvizdak is also on the list. She has spent 25 years building the athlete side of the business, including her work on signature shoes for Clark and A’ja Wilson.

Golden State Valkyries president Jess Smith is fresh off leading the league’s fastest-growing expansion team to a $1 billion-plus valuation.

Longtime NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum’s name comes up too. He previously served as interim head of the WNBA after Lisa Borders left the league and before Engelbert was hired.

And WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, who is retiring as a player after this season, is one of the most beloved names on this list.

While she noted she wants a vacation first before taking on any major executive role, she remains one of the most respected voices among the player body.

Whoever it is, they’re walking into an iron throne. And one thing was crystal clear from the SBJ’s report: the next commissioner may need to be more than a business executive.