Opinion: WNBA thrived despite Cathy Engelbert. She won't be missed

Prefer us on Google The most damning judgment of Cathy Engelbert's legacy as WNBA commissioner is that the league is thriving in spite of her, rather than because of her. Engelbert had the good fortune to be commissioner at a time when interest in women's sports is exploding and Caitlin Clark has captivated the country. Instead of moving heaven and earth to capitalize on that, Engelbert alienated her players, dragged her feet on league expansion and charter flights, and was largely silent when internet trolls and bad actors spewed racism and hate and tried to make a mockery of the league. She has been unable to meet the moment she was gifted, and she will not be missed. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks at the start of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13 in New York City. Brad Penner, Imagn Images 'I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined,' Engelbert said in the Friday statement announcing her retirement at the end of the season. 'I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become," she added. "I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come." With Engelbert in the rearview. Cathy Engelbert could have left a larger mark. There are commissioners who are transformative. The NBA's David Stern comes to mind, cleaning up the league's drug problems and fostering global growth of the game by blessing the Dream Team's participation at the 1992 Olympics. There are commissioners who are caretakers, wise enough to recognize a good thing and not mess it up. There are commissioners who are collaborative, seeing themselves as partners with the players rather than overlords.