WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Faces Criticism from Players

As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is facing criticism from players who feel she is not the right leader for the league. Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, recently spoke out about the need for a ‘bold’ commissioner who prioritizes the players’ best interests.

‘You do have to have a person in power who is bold, who is confident, who wants the best for the players and not maybe for themselves all the time,’ Cunningham told USA Today in an interview. ‘So I do feel like, as a whole, that could be a position that’s maybe open at the end of the year, but that’s not my call.’

Cunningham’s comments sparked controversy, particularly given her own history of making headlines for non-basketball reasons. In June, she became a viral meme after pointing her finger fiercely at the Phoenix Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner during an on-court dispute. The following month, she voiced support for barring transgender women from participating in women’s sports, a stance that was met with rallies and protests from both sides of the issue.

Despite Engelbert’s efforts to address the issue and call for league-wide discussions on the WNBA’s policies on transgender athletes, Cunningham and other players continue to express their concerns about her leadership. In a recent interview, Cunningham emphasized the importance of having a commissioner who is not only confident but also willing to listen to and support the players.

‘With where our league is trying to go, I feel like you just want someone who also wants that,’ Cunningham said. ‘That’s just a hard position to be in, in her shoes, us as players — we always want more, more, more because we see how good it can be.’

The collective bargaining agreement negotiations from this past offseason were also contentious, with Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier blasting Engelbert and saying the WNBA has ‘the worst leadership in the world.’ Both sides came to an agreement and a lockout was avoided, but the relationship between WNBA players and Engelbert remains strained.

A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, recently spoke about how she doesn’t have a personal relationship with Engelbert, saying their only connection is when the commissioner hands her awards. ‘I think when it comes to leadership, I’m always big on bonds,’ Wilson said. ‘Always big on connection on a deeper level and I think that’s what we all try to look for when it comes to a leader.’

Engelbert’s contract expires after the 2026 season, leaving her future as commissioner uncertain. While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed his support for Engelbert, saying she ‘continues to do a strong job building that league,’ he has also acknowledged that there are ‘ongoing discussions’ about her future.