WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Retire at Year’s End

Evansville, IN, October 17, 2026 —

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end of the year, and a search firm has been engaged to vet candidates for the league’s next leader. The announcement sets up a search for Engelbert’s successor, but the details provided so far are limited.

The year of Engelbert’s planned retirement was not specified in the available information. The name of the search firm was also not provided, and no candidates have been identified. There are no details about how the search will be conducted, who will make the final selection, or when the league expects to name a successor.

Engelbert’s departure will end her tenure as commissioner, though the information provided does not state when she began the role or describe her record in office. It also does not give a reason for her decision to retire. No statements from Engelbert, the league, or the search firm were included.

The search firm’s stated role is to vet candidates. No further information was provided about the qualifications being sought or whether the candidates under consideration will come from within or outside the WNBA. Until the league releases additional details, the succession process remains defined by the retirement timing and the firm’s involvement, rather than a disclosed timetable or list of potential replacements.

The next key development will be the league’s selection of a successor. No date for that decision was provided, and there is no information on whether an interim leadership arrangement is planned. For now, the confirmed points are that Engelbert intends to retire at year’s end and that a search firm has been engaged to vet candidates for the position.

Story summarized from the original created by DOUG FEINBERG, Associated Press on www.tristatehomepage.com, see more information here.

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