The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced significant growth during Cathy Engelbert’s nearly seven-year tenure as commissioner, marked by both substantial business achievements and complex relations with players. Engelbert, now the second-longest serving leader in the league’s history, played a key role in negotiating the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement this spring, which introduced the first core group of million-dollar player salaries.

Speaking ahead of the WNBA All-Star festivities in Chicago, Engelbert highlighted the unique nature of these financial advancements, noting that the league is producing a growing number of millionaire athletes, many of whom are under 30 years old. Despite this progress, the commissioner’s relationship with the players has at times been strained, with criticism directed at her handling of certain issues, particularly regarding responses to social media abuse targeting players.

Engelbert is scheduled to meet with the executive committee of the WNBA players’ union to address the recent increase in online harassment and threats. New York Liberty All-Star Breanna Stewart, who serves as vice president of the players’ union executive committee, expressed respect for Engelbert but acknowledged a lack of close connection between the commissioner and the players. Similarly, Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu remarked that she has more frequent communication with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver than with Engelbert.

Aside from these interpersonal challenges, the WNBA’s business expansion has been notable. Engelbert was instrumental in securing a landmark media rights agreement valued at more than $3 billion. The league has experienced record ratings, increased attendance, rising team valuations, and plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030.

Engelbert described the league’s current phase as “hypergrowth,” a period expected to evolve as the league matures. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the WNBA navigated the crisis effectively, continuing its growth trajectory. Seattle Storm owner Ginny Gilder credited Engelbert for advocating to maintain a shortened yet fully paid season during the pandemic, a decision pivotal to the league’s stability.

Financially, the league has seen substantial increases in expansion fees, rising from tens of millions to $250 million for new teams scheduled to join in the coming years, including franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Average team valuations have soared from roughly $5-10 million a decade ago to approximately $460 million today.

Washington Mystics owner Ted Leonsis reflected on Engelbert’s leadership, noting that while there have been both successes and setbacks, the overall progress under her tenure has been strong. The increased visibility of WNBA players in major advertising campaigns—from brands like Gatorade, State Farm, Nike, and CarMax—also signals the league’s growing market presence. Engelbert credited standout players such as Caitlin Clark with initiating this trend when her entry into the league drew attention from advertisers eager to feature WNBA athletes. This momentum continues with a new generation of players, including Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles, further elevating the league’s profile.