In Her Own Words: A Tough Week for WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the media this Friday in Las Vegas ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury. It was the first time she took questions since Napheesa Collier publicly criticized league leadership, including Engelbert herself, for malpractice and a lack of concern for player safety and wellbeing.
Collier’s comments, made during her exit interview, sent shockwaves throughout the league. Several players, including WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, expressed support for her stance. However, it took a couple of days before Engelbert spoke directly to the media and took questions.
### Engelbert’s Opening Statement
In her opening remarks, Engelbert expressed feeling disheartened that players don’t approve of her leadership. She announced plans to address officiating concerns and expressed confidence in reaching a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) soon. These were the main themes during the press conference.
### Addressing Collier’s Claims
When asked about the accusations made by Collier, Engelbert contested and denied several claims.
“There’s a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and reporting,” Engelbert said. “You saw it in my statement, but I have the utmost respect for Napheesa and every single player in our league. They are at the center of everything we do. No one should ever doubt how deeply I care about this league, this game, and every single player who makes the WNBA what it is.”
Engelbert also denied reports that she made controversial comments about Caitlin Clark needing to be grateful to the WNBA for her $16 million earned through partnerships.
“Obviously, I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans,” Engelbert stated.
### Can Engelbert Still Lead the League?
One pressing question is whether the commissioner can continue to lead the league amid eroding trust from players. Engelbert appears confident despite the challenges.
“I feel confident that we can repair any loss of trust,” she said. “We’ll dialogue with players — one-on-one relationships and group discussions. Players have reached out to me.”
### Officiating Concerns Highlighted
Engelbert acknowledged misalignment between the league’s stakeholders regarding officiating. According to injury trackers from ESPN and Rotowire, at least 30 players were sidelined either temporarily or for the rest of the 2025 season. This includes stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, accounting for roughly 20% of roster pieces being displaced.
To tackle these concerns, the league is implementing two key initiatives:
1. **Annual Competition Committee Meeting:** At the end of the season, the league’s competition committee will evaluate the state of the game, including rules, officiating, and player safety. Players and the Players Association are invited to engage in this process.
2. **New Multi-Stakeholder Task Force:** The league is establishing a “state-of-the-game” committee that will include player voices and other stakeholders. This task force aims to ensure that officiating evolves alongside the league’s growth.
Engelbert emphasized the importance of player perspectives:
“There are no greater stakeholders than our players. Their voice is integral to the alignment required for good officiating. We look forward to including their input on how our staff can better serve the game moving forward.”
### CBA Negotiations Ongoing
The path ahead remains challenging for Engelbert, with a looming deadline for a new CBA. Uncertainty persists about whether players and the league will find common ground. While players predict a difficult negotiation that might lead to a lockout, Engelbert remains optimistic.
“We’re working really hard. We have a couple of meetings next week,” she said. “While I hope we meet the October 31st deadline — and that is a real deadline — we have extended deadlines in the past. When I started, a few days in, we extended the deadline and reached a progressive deal.”
Reflecting on her first months as commissioner in 2019 during previous CBA talks, Engelbert noted:
“We have a lot of experience in these negotiations, even before I got here. It’s a balance. We want to ensure there’s no interruption, but of course, that will be up to the players and owners.”
### The Revenue Share Debate
Revenue share remains a key point of contention. Players’ recent statements indicate dissatisfaction with the league’s offers, while Engelbert stresses the importance of long-term sustainability.
“We’ve made proposals with significant revenue share components — in money and structure,” Engelbert explained. “They’re obviously bargaining for more. The balance is between returning every dollar we can and ensuring owners remain incentivized to invest.”
### Players Continue to Support Collier
Following the press conference, some players reiterated their support for Napheesa Collier, continuing to apply pressure on the WNBA commissioner.
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The coming weeks will be critical for the WNBA as it navigates leadership challenges, player concerns, and the future of the league’s labor agreement. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as dialogue and negotiations unfold.
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