Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA’s first commissioner, is officially stepping down at the end of the 2026 calendar year. After seven seasons at the helm, she’s leaving a league that has absolutely exploded in visibility and value under her watch. This isn’t just a commissioner stepping down, this is a changing of the guard for a league fundamentally transformed since she took the job.
From Undervalued to Unstoppable: The Numbers Don’t Lie
When Engelbert first took the reins in 2019, she knew the league had “enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation.” That’s the challenge she tackled. Seven seasons later, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is spot on: Cathy presided over “the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history.” We’ve witnessed truly massive business and cultural milestones, from new media deals and record attendance to rising player salaries and unprecedented investment. She truly understood how to push women’s basketball into the massive spotlight it always deserved.
18 Teams Strong and Eye-Popping Viewership: The League Is Different Now
You want the proof? Just look at the numbers! The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game didn’t just pack the United Center in Chicago; it actually outdrew the NBA. That’s wild! Then, at the 2026 All-Star break, Engelbert announced the league had pulled in over 73 million unique viewers across 117 national broadcasts. That’s a huge jump from last season’s 63 million. And the expansion? Insane! We’ve seen the Golden State Valkyries debut in 2025, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joining this season. Plus, Cleveland is coming in 2027, Detroit in 2029, and Philly in 2030, bringing the WNBA to 18 teams for the very first time. Sure, growth brings challenges, and Engelbert faced criticism over the league’s handling of certain issues. But the overall picture is a meteoric rise.
Engelbert herself perfectly summed up her experience, saying it’s been “amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports.” Her decision to retire after more than seven years with the WNBA and over 40 years in business means the league will be searching for a new leader. With 18 teams on the horizon and viewership exploding, the next commissioner has huge shoes to fill, but also an incredible, booming foundation to build upon. The league is stronger, more visible, and more valuable than ever, and that’s her legacy. The WNBA’s future is brighter than ever, and we’re all here to watch it continue.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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