Sophie Cunningham calls out Cathy Engelbert, says WNBA needs 'bold' commissioner who is 'not for themselves'

Engelbert, in her seventh season as commissioner, has been the subject of criticism from players

The top 3

  1. Longest-Serving WNBA Commissioners: Valerie Ackerman served as the WNBA's first president for seven years (1997-2005), making her one of the longest-tenured leaders in the league's history.
  2. Commissioners Overseeing Major Growth Periods: Cathy Engelbert, who became commissioner in 2019, has overseen a period of 'hypergrowth' for the WNBA, including record ratings, attendance, and team valuations, and significant expansion.
  3. Commissioners Driving Key Player Initiatives: Cathy Engelbert helped negotiate a transformative Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 2026, which introduced the WNBA's first core of million-dollar player salaries and significant improvements in player benefits like travel and childcare.

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