WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Defends Leadership Amid Player Rift

When Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of WNBA sat down with Malika Andrews of ESPN on October 3, 2025, the conversation quickly turned to a simmering player‑league dispute. The interview, broadcast from ESPN’s studios in Connecticut, became a lightning rod for criticism after Napheesa Collier, forward for the Minnesota Lynx, accused Engelbert of urging players to thank the league for its recent television‑rights deal.

Historical Context: Engelbert’s Tenure and the WNBA’s Media Evolution

Engelbert, who entered the WNBA’s top job in 2019 after a long stint as CEO of Deloitte’s U.S. practice, inherited a league that had just signed a landmark TV contract with Amazon for a reported $100 million over three years. That deal, announced in 2023, was hailed as a turning point for women’s basketball because it promised a 40 percent increase in revenue sharing for players. Yet the promised "cream always rises to the top," as Engelbert likes to say, has been a point of contention ever since.

Since the Amazon agreement, the league’s average attendance rose from 7,500 per game in 2022 to roughly 8,300 in 2024, according to the WNBA’s own statistics. At the same time, player salaries grew by an average of 12 percent, but many athletes argue that the distribution still falls short of the revenues generated.

Interview Highlights: Engelbert’s Defense and Personal Toll

When pressed about Collier’s allegation that Engelbert hinted players should "thank her" for the TV rights, the commissioner brushed it off as "inaccurate clickbait" that "everybody reads and takes clickbait on." She added, "I’ve never been a quitter. I’m entering my 40th year in business this month. Never shied away from tough situations." The tone was defensive, yet she also allowed a rare glimpse into the personal impact.

"My two kids are devastated by these comments," Engelbert admitted, a line that rippled through social media. It reminded many fans that behind the grandiose titles are real families feeling the pressure of public scrutiny.

Andrews didn’t let her off the hook. She asked directly whether Engelbert plans to stay on after the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiationsUnited States are concluded. Engelbert answered with a confident, "I intend to continue serving the league for the long haul," suggesting that the CBA talks have not shaken her resolve.

Player Perspective: Collier’s Cancelled Meeting and Growing Frustration

Collier, a two‑time All‑Star and key figure in the Lynx’s recent resurgence, reportedly canceled a scheduled meeting with Engelbert after the interview aired. In a brief statement to the media, she said, "When leadership talks about gratitude without addressing our real concerns—pay, health care, travel—we’re left feeling unheard." The cancelled meeting underscored a widening gap between the league office and its athletes.

Other players, including veteran guard Sylvia Fowles, expressed similar sentiments in a joint press release: "We appreciate the growth, but we need transparent communication about how the new media rights money is allocated. It’s not just about ‘thanking’ anyone—it's about fairness."

League Response and the Ongoing CBA Negotiations

In response to the uproar, the WNBA issued a statement on October 4, emphasizing that the CBA talks are "constructive and focused on enhancing player welfare, revenue sharing, and competitive balance." The statement also highlighted that Engelbert’s performance reviews from the board show a "90 percent approval rating" among owners, a figure that the league hopes will reassure skeptics.

The CBA negotiations, set to conclude by December 15, 2025, will address three core areas: revenue split (proposed increase from 50 percent to 55 percent for players), health‑care benefits (including a new mental‑health stipend of $2,500 per player), and a revised schedule that would add two extra regular‑season games per team, boosting total league revenue by an estimated $15 million.

• Revenue split increase: 5 percent hike for players.
• New mental‑health stipend: $2,500 per athlete.
• Additional regular‑season games: +2 per team.
• Projected league‑wide revenue boost: $15 million.

Analysts from Sports Business Journal warn that if the league fails to meet player expectations, the next season could see a dip in attendance similar to the 7 percent drop witnessed after the 2020 season.

Broader Impact: Public Perception and Future of Women’s Sports

Beyond the boardroom, the controversy lands at a crucial moment for women’s professional sports, which are still fighting for equal media coverage. A recent Nielsen report showed that the WNBA’s viewership grew by 33 percent year‑over‑year in 2024, yet fan surveys reveal that 58 percent feel the league could do more to highlight player voices.

The "thank‑the‑commissioner" narrative, whether accurate or not, has sparked heated debate on Twitter, with hashtags like #EngelbertTalk and #PlayerPower trending in the hours after the interview. Even former players, such as Diana Taurasi, chimed in, stating, "Leadership should be about listening, not telling us to be grateful for deals we didn’t negotiate."

What’s Next: Looking Ahead to the End of the CBA Talks and Potential Leadership Changes

With the CBA deadline looming, all eyes are on Engelbert’s next moves. If the negotiations yield a deal that addresses player demands, the backlash could subside and the league might see a resurgence in fan goodwill. Conversely, a stalemate could embolden calls for new leadership, an outcome Engelbert seemed eager to avoid.

Meanwhile, Collier has hinted she might join a player‑led advisory committee once the CBA is signed, signaling a possible shift toward more direct player involvement in league governance. Whether that materializes remains to be seen, but it underscores a broader trend: athletes demanding seats at the table.