NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants the next WNBA commissioner to do what Cathy Engelbert couldn’t. While that can be many things at this point, the main criticism Engelbert used to catch fire for was her lack of relationships with players. And Silver hopes the next commissioner who replaces the retiring Engelbert is a unifying figure.
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“We’re at the stage of this league where understandably there was going to be some tension around collective bargaining,” the NBA commissioner said, per Annie Costabile of The Athletic.
“Now that we have a long-term agreement in place, we need somebody who is going to help unify the players with the players and the players with ownership. I see that opportunity.”
There is no denying the impact Engelbert will leave behind following the end of her tenure as commissioner. After all, under her supervision, the WNBA expanded exponentially. From two CBAs to the league expanding to 18 teams from 12 by the end of this decade, Engelbert has been one of the most consequential top executives in league history.
Moreover, the league’s media rights are worth $3.1 billion, according to ESPN’s Alexia Philippou, and the average value of a WNBA franchise is approximately $460 million, compared to $10 million in 2019, when Engelbert first took the mantle of commissioner.
But it was not all perfect, as Engelbert has faced a lot of criticism over her leadership as a whole. Especially before the second collective bargaining agreement of her term was settled between the league and the players’ union this year.
Most notably, Minnesota Lynx star and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier blasted Engelbert in September 2025, accusing her of being “negligent” in her governance. Collier said the WNBA had failed to adequately address officiating, player compensation, and the overall state of the league as the sides approached the expiration of the prior CBA. The WNBPA had opted out of that agreement in October 2024, leaving the league and union roughly a year to negotiate a replacement deal.
“Our leadership’s answer to being held accountable is to suppress everyone’s voices by handing out fines,” Collier said. “I’m not concerned about a fine, I’m concerned about the future of our sport. At some point, everyone deserves to hear the truth from someone who I hope has earned the benefit of the doubt to fight for what is right and fair for our athletes and our fans.
“We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world.”
This further explains why Silver specifically mentioned the next WNBA commissioner to have the ability to “help unify the players with the players and the players with ownership.”
The NBA commissioner is not the only one advocating this type of change, as Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham said Monday that the next WNBA commissioner needs to unite a league with “all types of walks” in it.
“The WNBA has always been a place for people to feel safe and comfortable,” Cunningham said. “I think there are all types of walks in this league, which I think is absolutely awesome. But I think with that, you need someone who is going to unite everybody, because it can be so different.”
Cunningham, who wants a “players-first commissioner”, also revealed she had a word with Silver and believes the next hire will be someone who will take the league to “another level.”
While nothing is decided yet, a few names have been floating around over the past couple of weeks, including WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. However, it seems unlikely the Los Angeles Sparks legend will change roles so quickly following her retirement. Swin Cash is another interesting name rumored.
Regardless, Engelbert previously told The Associated Press that she had submitted a multi-year succession plan containing a shortlist of internal and external candidates to Adam Silver.
With Silver getting the final say, it will be interesting to see who he chooses to take this tricky role after Engelbert’s retirement.