Adam Silver noncommittal on Cathy Engelbert's WNBA future

Field Level Media
26 Mar 2026, 21:49 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Adam Silver celebrated the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement and praised the 'fantastic job' performed by Cathy Engelbert during her 6 1/2 years as that league's commissioner.

That said, the NBA commissioner was noncommittal in regard to Engelbert's long-term job security when speaking at his league's Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.

'We haven't had those discussions yet with the WNBA board,' Silver said when asked about her future beyond the 2026 season. 'I would only say Cathy has done a fantastic job since she's come to the WNBA. Obviously, you could see (that) in the results.'

Silver also said he had spoken with others who were happy with the end result of the WNBA's eight-day marathon bargaining sessions.

'People were very pleased with where we came out on the WNBA side,' Silver said. 'I've talked to many players directly, read the reports coming out of collective bargaining. I'm really pleased that both sides feel that it's a fair outcome.'

It hasn't all been rosy in regard to Engelbert, who publicly was challenged on Sept. 30 by Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier.

Collier, a former Women's National Basketball Players Association vice president, said 'the lack of accountability from the league office' was a real threat to the league. She also said the WNBA had the 'worst leadership in the world.'

Engelbert, 61, also has been taken to task for the decision to sell a 16 percent stake in the league for $75 million in 2022 when the WNBA was in need of financial gains.

--Field Level Media

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