Just as the WNBA secures its future with a landmark seven-year labor deal, the celebration may be short-lived as a pressing new question looms: the future of the very commissioner who got the deal done.

When asked about Engelbert’s future, NBA President Adam Silver’s response was praise-filled but non-committal, leaving the door wide open for speculation.

“We haven’t had those discussions yet… I would only say Cathy has done a fantastic job since she’s come to the WNBA,” said the NBA President when asked if Engelbert would stay beyond 2026 after a milestone had been achieved with the CBA deal that came after seven long years.

The WNBA Board of Governors has now unanimously ratified the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday, right after the players also unanimously approved the seven-year CBA, which will begin this season and run through 2032.

What started in 2019 has finally reached its destination in 2026. The groundwork of it all began in January 2019, when the WNBA and the WNBPA announced a new CBA that included significant improvements in pay, travel, and maternity benefits, which became a turning point for things to come, as it hoped to raise maximum salaries to six figures and introduce better player protections.

Since then, there have been deliberations and more deliberations, but nothing fruitful has come through. Disputes over salary caps, revenue sharing, and retirement benefits led to mounting pressure for renegotiation, followed by negotiations stalling and players calling for a strike. The drama felt unending.

But now the water’s under the bridge, and things are looking up as the WNBPA finally won the war. As the WNBA is expected to deliver over $1 billion in salaries and benefits across the life of the deal, and the salary cap is being raised nearly 5x, from $1.5M in 2025 to $7M in 2026, along with other benefits like housing, retirement benefits, the league has ushered in a new era.

The Backstory Behind Growing Questions Around Leadership

Cathy Engelbert’s years with the WNBA are also equal to the number of years it took for the CBA deal to get approved. Sounds ironic, doesn’t it?

“This marks the beginning of a bold new era for the WNBA – one made possible by the passion and dedication of the players, owners, fans, investors, partners, and the entire WNBA family. We remain focused on building on the unprecedented momentum around the league and preparing for our milestone 30th season, tipping off in May,” said Engelbert in a public statement once everything had been done and dusted.

Engelbert’s career shift into the WNBA happened after she had spent 33 years at Deloitte, having joined the company back in 1986, and becoming the CEO of the organization. Jump over to July 2019, when she was appointed the first-ever Commissioner, succeeding interim president Mark Tatum.

Over the years, she had a lot of things to sort out. Be it supporting athletes’ social justice initiatives, including the league’s strong stance on racial equality and voting rights, or the creation of the Wubble during the pandemic.

And finally, she was part of one of the WNBA’s most significant moves yet with the CBA. However, despite the lack of any official word, there has been growing speculation about her long-term future following a decision made back in 2022.

As per Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, Engelbert’s decision to sell the league’s 16% stake to raise $75 million after the pandemic did not sit well with some insiders. Coupled with reported tensions around her leadership, it has led to questions about whether a transition could be on the horizon; one that may bring further change to the WNBA.