The WNBA was shocked on Friday morning by the sudden announcement that Cathy Engelbert will step down as commissioner at the end of 2026. After nearly seven-and-a-half years in charge of the league, Engelbert is set to leave her position later this year.
Now, insiders have offered insight into how players in the WNBA are reacting to the news.
WNBA Insider’s Revelation Regarding the Players’ Reaction
According to the Daily Mail’s Russ Weakland and Rich Jones, sources have revealed to them that the response from many WNBA players has been far from emotional. The insiders claimed that most players were more than happy to hear that Engelbert would be moving on.
“A lot of players may not say it publicly, but saying they’re happy about Cathy’s retirement announcement would probably be an understatement.”
“Cathy hasn’t exactly made a lot of friends among players or league executives, and now that the WNBA is getting more attention than ever, there’s a growing feeling that the league needs someone who can truly handle that spotlight and help take things to the next level,” the insiders wrote in their report.
That reaction may not come as a major surprise considering the criticism Engelbert has faced during her time as commissioner. While she has played a major role in growing the league, her relationship with players has often been difficult.
One of the strongest examples came in 2025, when Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier openly criticized the league’s leadership.
Collier said the WNBA had “the best players in the world” and “the best fans in the world,” but described its leadership as the “worst” in the world. She pointed to what she saw as a lack of accountability, inconsistent officiating, and concerns about player safety and compensation.
Still, Engelbert’s tenure cannot simply be judged by the criticism she received. There is no denying that the WNBA grew significantly during her tenure as commissioner. Viewership surged by roughly 454% from the beginning of her tenure, while the league also became more visible across mainstream sports and entertainment.
One of Engelbert’s biggest accomplishments was helping negotiate the WNBA’s newest collective bargaining agreement. The seven-year deal reached in early 2026 significantly changed the financial picture for players.
It introduced a revenue-sharing system that gives players around 20% of shared basketball revenue. The agreement also raised the team salary cap to $7 million and set a maximum player contract of $1.4 million.
So, Engelbert’s legacy is likely to remain complicated. For some players, her departure might present an opportunity for the league to build a stronger relationship with its athletes.
For others, she might be remembered as the commissioner who helped take the WNBA into a new era of popularity and financial growth.
