Cathy Engelbert retirement: Her legacy and what comes next for WNBA

What does the league need from its next commissioner after Cathy Engelbert retires? Is the WNBA better off now than when she took over?

The top 3

Record-Breaking Viewership Figures: The 2026 WNBA season, halfway through, became the most-watched of all time with over 73 million unique viewers, surpassing the entire 2025 season's record of 63 million. The Atlanta Dream-Indiana Fever game in August 2026 became the most-watched WNBA game ever on cable, averaging 2.6 million viewers on ESPN. Additionally, Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut in 2024 drew 2.1 million viewers, the most for any WNBA game in 23 years.
Significant Revenue and Investment Growth: Under Engelbert, the WNBA's revenue doubled from $102 million to $200 million. The league also secured an 11-year media rights deal valued at approximately $2.2 billion, which increased annual revenue by $281 million. Furthermore, a $75 million capital raise in 2022 marked the largest investment round ever in women's sports.
Historic Player Salary Increases: The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) under Engelbert's tenure increased player compensation by over 50%, raising the maximum salary to $215,000. Top players can now earn over $500,000 annually with additional marketing agreements and incentives, tripling prior maximum compensation. The average cash compensation for players also exceeded six figures for the first time, reaching nearly $130,000.