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Minnesota City Today
By the People, for the People
WNBA Commissioner Defends Tenure Amid Scrutiny
Engelbert responds to questions about her future with the league.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:44pm
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The WNBA's leadership faces a fractured landscape as it navigates player demands and global expansion.Minnesota City TodayWNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert faced tough questions from reporters about her future with the league during Monday's pre-draft press conference. Engelbert pushed back, arguing that the focus should be on the league's players rather than its leadership.
Why it matters
As the head of the WNBA, Engelbert has navigated the league through a challenging collective bargaining agreement and faced criticism from players over league leadership. Her response to questions about her own future reflects the ongoing tensions within the league.
The details
During the press conference, Engelbert was asked about her future as commissioner. She responded by saying the focus should be on the 'hundreds of amazing women and thousands of women who run this league' rather than on her personally. Engelbert also suggested the question would not have been asked if she were a man.
- The WNBA Draft took place on Monday, April 14, 2026.
The players
Cathy Engelbert
The commissioner of the WNBA since 2019.
Napheesa Collier
A star player for the Minnesota Lynx who criticized the WNBA's leadership at the end of the 2025 season.
Jessica Berman
The commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League.
What they’re saying
“I do crack up how everybody's focused on me, and you should be focused on the hundreds of amazing women and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself. I appreciate that you're focused on me as well. I wonder if you would ask that of a man, by the way, but I realize as women we get asked different questions than men do.”
— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
“We're heavily looking at that. Obviously this year we have the FIBA World Cup. Next year we expect that we'll do something outside of North America as a true global game.”
— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
What’s next
The WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement still needs to be finalized, and the league is exploring opportunities to play games overseas in the future.
The takeaway
Engelbert's defensive response highlights the ongoing tensions between the WNBA's leadership and its players, as the league navigates challenges around compensation and global expansion. Her comments suggest a need for improved communication and alignment within the WNBA.
