WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been in the hot seat for a number of issues, including her responses to player safety concerns, players’ dissatisfaction with the WNBA’s salary structure, and officiating issues.

The latest controversy Engelbert faced was regarding Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s comments regarding transgender athletes. But speaking to Yahoo Sports Daily, WNBA insider Annie Costabile explained that the situation wasn’t that simple.

"The reason she faces so much criticism is because there is a layer to her job that appears out of her control or there are aspects of her job description that maybe don't fall within her responsibilities," Costabile told Yahoo Sports Daily on Friday. 

Costabile’s comments during her August 21 interview, posted by Yahoo Sports Daily’s X account, suggested that while Engelbert was the acting head of the WNBA, many of the comments attributed to her could ultimately be credited to Adam Silver.

As the NBA commissioner, Silver was the head of the parent league which effectively owns and operates the WNBA. As such, many of Engelbert’s decisions were heavily influenced by Silver.

“Even going to the CBA negotiations, There are questions about how much Adam Silver contributed to these negotiations. When it comes to the business dealings, there's questions about how much Adam Silver is playing a role in what's happening in the WNBA,” Costabile added.

The WNBA insider was blunt in her opinions. She went on to point out that Silver was responsible for urging Engelbert to suspend Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas and impose a $1,000 fine for committing a flagrant foul against Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

“There are questions about how much is out of Kathy Engelbert's control. Even going back to the foul on Caitlin Clark that Alyssa Thomas ends up receiving a one game suspension for,” Costabile said.  

But Silver controlling WNBA affairs isn't the biggest problem with Engelbert's term. And it might be what brings about the end of her time in the WNBA.

Cathy Engelbert’s WNBA leadership falls under scrutiny

Engelbert’s current contract runs through December 31, 2026, marking the end of her seventh year as commissioner of the WNBA. But whether the former Deloitte CEO will remain in that position next season.

According to a July 24 ESPN report, one of the biggest concerns that Engelbert’s leadership has faced is her reluctance to confront and address controversial issues. That is something players, executives, and analysts have pointed out.

"Here we are with all this stuff that's happened," one team executive told ESPN, "At different points, has felt like, 'Where are you?'" 

Engelbert herself has also remained evasive in her answers to ESPN when asked if she thought she would remain the WNBA commissioner once the 2026 season ends.

"I'm focused head-down on executing this highly, highly successful 30th season," she told ESPN. "I love this league. We're going to continue to drive the business. And don't worry about me. It's more about the team." 

As of now, there is no confirmation regarding Engelbert's future in the WNBA. But league executives have been watching and many believe the WNBA commissioner failed to establish herself as a significant presence in the league's narrative.

Written by

Arundhoti Palit

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit