Next WNBA Commissioner Odds: Who Will Replace Cathy Engelbert?

By Bill Speros Oct 1st, 2025 3:13 PM EDT

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert faces heat from players and others over remarks she purportedly made concerning some players. (USA TODAY)

Who will be the next WNBA Commissioner? Check out our latest Next WNBA Commissioner Odds. While there’s no formal effort underway to replace Cathy Engelbert, she has come under fierce criticism by players.

Wednesday, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith demanded that Engelbert resign. Meanwhile, Sports Business Journal reports that Engelbert would likely bow out after the league and the WNBA Players Association reach a new collective bargaining agreement. While the WNBA denied the SBJ report, pressure on Engelbert to exit continues to build.

The WNBA and the league's union remain mostly deadlocked during their negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal ends on Oct. 31 and it’s believed the players will be subsequently locked out until a new deal is reached.

If things sour completely, the players may demand a new commissioner, and/or the NBA might be ready to move Engelbert to another role. Thus our Next WNBA Commissioner Odds.

Las. Vegas Aces star and back-to-back MVP A’Ja Wilson, fellow 2-time MVP Elena Delle Donne and outspoken social media star/player Sophie Cunningham joined Napheesa Collier in her criticism of Engelbert. The dust-up began when Collier spoke out about Engelbert’s comments toward rookies and other emerging stars in the league. Smith noted Collier’s statements during his show.

Stephen A. Smith Demands Engelbert Resign Amid Flap

Smith took on the controversy during ESPN's First Take on Wednesday. “Cathy Engelbert . . . let me say for the record, you should resign,” Smith said. “You need to resign. Period.”

“When a player, any player but especially one of that magnitude, attacks you publicly like that,” Smith continued. “That weak a-- statment commissioner Engelbert gave is not good enough.”

Engelbert said in a statement that she was “disheartened” by Collier’s comments but did not publicly offer a counter to any of Collier’s charges.

“And did you see that statement that commissioner Engelbert gave? She basically provided no defense of herself,” Smith aid. “(Collier’s) words were piercing. That was an attack against your leadership, it was an attack against your integrity, it was an attack against your character . . . and that’s the statement you came out with?”

Next WNBA Commissioner Odds: The Breakdown

Here are our Next WNBA Commissioner Odds according to bookies.com Senior Handicapper Adam Thompson. These odds are for entertainment only and are not yet available at legal U.S. sportsbooks or in trading markets.

Next WNBA Commissioner Odds: The Names To Watch

Candace Parker enjoyed a stellar career as collegian, Olympian and WNBA star. Her teams won 3 WNBA titles, 2 NCAA championships, and 2 Olympic gold medals. Her selection would deliver a full buy-in from the players, given her impeccable basketball credentials. But she lacks any background in the management, finance and/or legal background often associated with league commissioners.

Given the cross pollenization between the WNBA and NBA, Mark Tatum offers stability on the ownership side and should have the full trust of both NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the WNBA team owners. Tatum served as WNBA president from 2018-19 and was succeeded by Engelbert, who was given the title as commissioner. Tatum could fill the role as in interim commissioner if Engelbert’s departure comes with any haste.

Bethany Donaphin, Head of WNBA League Operations since 2018, carries the responsibly of handling everything to make sure the league functions. She carries the best value here given both her time within the WNBA executive ranks and her past as a former player.

How We Got Here: Collier Blasts Engelbert

Collier dunked on Engelbert and the rest of the league in 4+-minute statement during a season-ending news conference Tuesday

She cited Engelbert as an example of the “the worst leadership in the world,” roasted the league’s officiating and the state of the current negations between the league and players’ association over a new CBA. Collier is a Vice President of the WNBA players union.

Wilson followed up by saying she was “honestly disgusted by the comments Cathy made.”

Even NBA phenom Caitlin Clark purportedly caught some strays from the Commissioner. Collier raised the issue of low starting salaries for league players, including Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, despite the fact that they often drive league revenue and TV ratings.

“Her response was, ‘(Clark) should be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’ And in that same conversation, she told me, ‘Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’”

In response to the criticism, Engelbert issued a statement claiming interactions between her and Collier were mischaracterized.

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA,” Engelbert said. “Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”

Comments

Sign In | Sign Up

Post

View more