WNBA enjoys ‘hypergrowth’ under Commissioner Cathy Engelbert amid strained relationship with players
WNBA Experiences Rapid Expansion Under Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Amid Tensions with Players
Bharatmorningnews.com – NEW YORK — Cathy Engelbert’s leadership has propelled the WNBA into a phase of accelerated growth, despite challenges in her relationship with the players’ union during her nearly seven years as commissioner.
Transformative Deal Boosts Player Compensation
Engelbert, who has served as commissioner for nearly seven years, spearheaded negotiations for a landmark collective bargaining agreement this spring. This deal established the first substantial salary structure for WNBA players, including million-dollar contracts.
“There’s not a lot of jobs where you can make over 30-plus millionaires instantly,” Engelbert said in a phone interview with The Associated Press ahead of this weekend’s All-Star event in Chicago. “It just doesn’t exist in most companies, except if you’re like a stock-option company, and your stock does really well. Most of them are under the age of 30 and there are more to come.”
Business Success Amidst Player Relations Strain
Despite these financial strides, the league’s expansion has been accompanied by tensions between Engelbert and the players. Critics argue she has struggled to connect with the union, facing accusations of being out of touch or failing to address social media attacks effectively.
Engelbert will meet with the WNBA players’ union executive committee on Tuesday to address rising online hostility and threats targeting athletes. Breanna Stewart, a New York Liberty All-Star and union vice president, noted respect for Engelbert but highlighted the lack of a cohesive relationship.
Her Liberty teammate, Sabrina Ionescu, has reportedly engaged more with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver than Engelbert, underscoring the divide. Yet, the commissioner remains focused on improving her rapport with the players, even as the league’s business operations flourish.
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth Projections
Engelbert played a key role in securing a groundbreaking media rights agreement worth over $3 billion. The league has achieved record-breaking ratings, attendance figures, and team valuations, with plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030.
“We’ve been in hypergrowth mode now for two or three years,” Engelbert stated. “Companies, if you look back in time, you are not in hypergrowth mode forever. We’re preparing ourselves now for the next version of ourselves, which probably isn’t as hypergrowth.”
The WNBA’s ability to navigate the coronavirus pandemic further solidified its business momentum, ensuring continuity when many leagues faced uncertainty. Seattle Storm owner Ginny Gilder praised Engelbert’s decision to keep the season running, even with reduced schedules.
“Give Cathy credit for advocating the season,” Gilder remarked. “We had no idea what was going to happen. People had to make decisions. Cathy pushed the Board of Governors to not only have a shortened season but to fully pay the players. Don’t bicker. We were going to figure out the finances.”
Team valuations have surged from $5–10 million a decade ago to an average of $460 million today, according to Engelbert. Expansion fees have also risen dramatically, with Golden State paying $50 million to join the league and Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia set to pay $250 million each in the coming years.
Engelbert’s tenure has seen the WNBA become a dominant presence in major sporting advertisements. Brands like Gatorade, State Farm, Nike, and CarMax frequently feature league stars such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, a trend she attributes to the league’s rising value.
“When Clark was drafted, it created a domino effect,” Engelbert explained. “They started seeing the value of putting players in their ads and then separately endorsing them. I’m really proud of that because when I came to the league, absent a few sneakers ads, I don’t remember any players in spots. Maybe there were a few.”
Younger talent like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles has further cemented the league’s commercial appeal, ensuring its continued growth in both visibility and financial terms. Engelbert, turning 62 this year, has not ruled out future roles but acknowledged the retirement age at her previous job at Deloitte.