WNBA comissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire at season's end after seven years

[p]Engelbert took charge in May 2019 as the first WNBA commnissioner with the 12-team league averaging 1.3 million in attendance and clubs valued at about $10 million.[/p][p]She oversaw changes on the business side of the league including $3.1 billion in media rights deals, teams playing a record 50 games each and 15 league clubs with planned expansion to 18 clubs by 2030 and teams worth about $460 million.[/p][p]"[b]After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA commissioner,[/b]" Engelbert said in a statement.[/p][p]"[b]Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women's sports.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="41e62ca7-2396-4a95-beaf-aa55cd4e0359" url="https://x.com/WNBAComms/status/2095888027411173488?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The media rights deals led to a historic boost in player salaries and benefits but some players have been critical of leadership over such issues as harassment of players and officiating quality.[/p][p]"[b]Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league's 30-year history,[/b]" NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.[/p][p]"[b]We're grateful for Cathy's leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women's basketball.[/b]"[/p][p]The announcement came with the WNBA on a season break for the Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany with the league playoffs due to conclude next month.[/p][p]"[b]We have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined,[/b]" Engelbert said.[/p][p]"[b]I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come.[/b]"[/p]