CHICAGO — WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sidestepped a query Saturday concerning her future.
Throughout her annual press convention forward of the All-Star Recreation, Engelbert was immediately requested a yes-or-no query concerning whether or not she anticipated to be in her job firstly of the 2027 season.
“I’ll simply proceed to do my job, execute the technique as a result of it has been working,” Engelbert stated.
That line was in all probability essentially the most telling a part of her two-minute reply.
She additionally highlighted some tangible examples of how the league workplace and its infrastructure have grown underneath her steerage.
“Clearly, I’m so blessed to be on the helm of this league throughout this unimaginable hypergrowth interval,” Engelbert stated. “So blessed that these gamers are placing a product on the court docket they’re each night time, that they stand for the values that the W has lengthy searched for.”
Engelbert’s working relationship with gamers, particularly the league’s stars, has been underneath a microscope for fairly a while.
The criticism, although, intensified over the previous yr amid contentious negotiations for a brand new collective bargaining settlement and now because the league faces quite a lot of troublesome points, together with on-line harassment, safety issues and officiating issues.
After final season, Lynx star Napheesa Collier blasted the WNBA for having the “worst management on the earth.”
She additionally stated the “actual menace” to the league isn’t cash, rankings or officiating, however an absence of accountability on the high.
A number of gamers stated they don’t have shut relationships with Engelbert, together with Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who stated she talks with NBA commissioner Adam Silver extra.
All of this has introduced into query Engelbert’s job safety as her contract is about to run out on the finish of this yr, in keeping with Entrance Workplace Sports activities.
May this be it for Engelbert?
Or possibly the higher query is whether or not Engelbert is the appropriate chief to steer the WNBA into its subsequent chapter?
WNBPA vp Breanna Stewart isn’t certain.
“I don’t know,” she stated. “It’s not my place to say if she needs to be right here or she shouldn’t.”
Engelbert obtained defensive when requested about her future on the WNBA draft in April — simply weeks after NBA commissioner Adam Silver appeared noncommittal when requested the same query.
The WNBA has seen unprecedented progress since Engelbert turned the league’s first commissioner in 2019.
She famous Saturday that the league is on tempo to shatter attendance data and has already surpassed TV viewership numbers from final season.
For all the great Engelbert has completed, she hasn’t been excellent.
The 16 p.c stake sale for $75 million in 2022, seen as a necessity on the time, has aged poorly.
Her lack of ability to type significant relationships with gamers is notable.
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike emphasised Friday that “The connection between gamers and management is extremely vital.”
Ogwumike stated gamers and Engelbert are nonetheless investing in constructing belief.
“I’m hoping that she’s felt like we’ve been ready to do this, however I do assume shifting ahead, we have now to get higher at sustaining that line of communication between gamers, whether or not it’s by participant management and even simply particular person gamers,” Ogwumike stated. “There’s numerous gamers on this league, however I would like folks to really feel approachable, to have the ability to talk about issues along with her with out having to do it in a reactive sense.”
Engelbert stated she’s making an attempt to toe the road of reaching out an acceptable quantity however not overdoing it.
She stated the league sends out numerous emails, which she famous gamers don’t at all times verify.
She additionally stated she reached out to gamers once they’re being honored or after they endure accidents.
“Everyone must be higher at communication, I feel, on a regular basis,” Engelbert stated. “So we’ll proceed to work on that and talk.”
