A’ja Wilson shone the spotlight even more on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has faced heightened scrutiny since last year.
Before Saturday’s All-Star Game, the Las Vegas Aces superstar gave some carefully chosen words that only ignited more speculation about Engelbert’s future as the league’s top executive.
A’ja Wilson’s Latest Comments Put Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Under Even More Scrutiny
Wilson is the reigning four-time WNBA MVP, so it was unsurprising that the media asked her to comment on the former Deloitte CEO. When pressed about her relationship with Engelbert, she answered candidly.
“My only relationship with Cathy is when she hands me awards, which is great. I love to see her in that light. But I think when it comes to leadership, I’m always big on bonds. I’m always big on connection on a deeper level,” Wilson said.
“My only relationship with Cathy is when she hands me awards, which is great. I love to see her.” – Aja Wilson 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/he03iOGDK7
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) July 25, 2026
“And I think that’s what we all try to look for when it comes to a leader, when we’re on our teams, when we’re coming to the business table. It’s a partnership, and it should go hand in hand.”
Wilson certainly has had plenty of time receiving awards from Engelbert, but the superstar’s relationship with her seems to be superficial. The Aces star has three championships since 2022 and multiple major individual accolades to boot. Engelbert handed her the hardware every time she received her well-earned recognition.
Wilson’s spontaneous remark about Engelbert’s leadership was damning since it is an area the executive has been highly criticized over the years.
Last year, perennial MVP contender Napheesa Collier called out Engelbert for “lack of accountability” and added that the WNBA has “the worst leadership.”
When Collier shared with the media some of her alleged conversations with Engelbert, Wilson later said she was “honestly disgusted” with the executive and vowed to “ride with Phee always.”
This season, the criticism around Engelbert’s alleged inability to protect players from online bullying and racism has only grown louder.
The commissioner was also embroiled in controversy last month when she reportedly opposed suspending Alyssa Thomas for punching Caitlin Clark, only for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to step in.
According to a report from Sports Business Journal, “Silver persuaded Engelbert to suspend Thomas.”
SEE ALSO: ‘Kinda Disappointed’ – Caitlin Clark Questions 1 Major Rule Change at WNBA All-Star Game
By suggesting that she doesn’t have a deep relationship with Engelbert, Wilson has raised further questions about the executive’s management skills. Engelbert is reportedly in the hot seat as commissioner for exactly that reason.
WNBA insider Alexa Philippou reported last week that “Engelbert hasn’t prioritized developing a closer relationship with Clark, the league’s most high-profile player and the one widely credited with helping supercharge the league’s popularity.”
Whether Wilson intended to send a message to Engelbert or simply highlight areas where the WNBA can continue to improve, her All-Star Weekend remarks added another chapter to the ongoing talks about Engelbert and her future at the helm.
