In the midst of the most successful season in the WNBA’s 30-year history, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her retirement on Friday at the end of 2026
Engelbert was named the league’s first commissioner in 2019, overseeing an era of tremendous growth both financially and structurally. Her legacy, however, is complicated. Even as Engelbert led a transformative capital raise, signed an 11-year, $3.1 billion television deal and expanded the league from 12 teams to 18 by 2030, she regularly drew criticism — sometimes, very publicly — from players.
Repairing the relationship between the league office and the players’ association will be a key priority for the next commissioner. The hiring must also continue to capitalize on the meteoric rise of the WNBA, especially as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics, where Team USA will go for its ninth straight gold medal.
In its 30-year history, the league has only had female presidents and commissioners (other than interim presidents and commissioners), so it’s unlikely the WNBA will change course now. (The WNBA commissioner reports to NBA commissioner Adam Silver for league structure.) Past leaders have come from executive positions at well-known companies and organizations, including Deloitte (Engelbert), Coca-Cola (Lisa Borders), Girl Scouts (Laurel Richie), PGA Tour (first president of Donna NBAV League) and Donna NBAV League).
Here are the candidates we’re keeping an eye on as the league makes this all-important decision:
The best candidates
Swin Cash
Former WNBA All-Star Executive / She’s Got Time
Cash’s name had been floating around the league for a long time, even before Engelbert’s announcement, as someone who could fill the role of commissioner well.
Given the need for the next commissioner to mend relations between the player body and management, having a former three-time WNBA champion and four-time WNBA All-Star in that role could be a lot, especially with WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike stepping down.
Cash spent six years as SVP of basketball operations for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, serving in an executive role that handled everything from strategic planning to financial management. She left 2025 during a restructuring and later founded She’s Got Time, a media and lifestyle company that connects women in sports.
Bethany Donaphin
WNBA Chief Operating Officer
While rumors of Engelbert’s entry have swirled, insiders around the league have mentioned Donaphin as a potential replacement.
In a league that does not have a deputy commissioner, Donaphin has functionally served as the deputy commander, often appearing in Engelbert’s place. Donaphin has worked with the NBA and WNBA for the past decade, with more than eight years on the WNBA sideline, giving her the right perspective to address the business and narratives surrounding the league.
Given Engelbert’s difficulty with players, someone who has filled their shoes — but also worked closely with Engelbert during her tenure — seems like an ideal fit for the position.
Donaphin played at Stanford under coach Tara VanDerveer and competed for one season in the WNBA and five seasons overseas.
Sarah Mensah
President of Jordan Brand
To WNBA fans, Mensah may not be the most familiar name on this list, but her resume speaks volumes. He has been with Nike since 2013, in several leadership roles. She is currently the president of Jordan Brand, which has signed current and former WNBA athletes such as Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier and Rhyne Howard, as well as current UConn Huskies standout Sarah Strong.
Current WNBA relationships paired with her wealth of experience at a Fortune 100 company aren’t the only reasons Mensah could be great. Prior to Nike, Mensah spent nearly two decades with the Portland Trail Blazers, eventually becoming SVP and COO.
Cathy Engelbert announces her retirement
Annie Costabile
Other candidates to watch
Renee Anderson
NFL Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer
Anderson has 20 years of experience in the NFL, as the league became a major player in the American sports market. If Roger Goodell isn’t expected to step down as commissioner any time soon, this would be an opportunity for EVP to step out on her own and take a senior role elsewhere.
Even without a direct connection to women’s basketball, Anderson’s role in building the NFL’s business would be a good asset in managing the WNBA during this rocket phase of growth.
Amy Brooks
President of Global Business Development
At the risk of over-indexing, another former Stanford player who spent two-plus decades in the NBA. As the WNBA expands internationally and attempts to expand its global footprint, the Head of Global Business Development would be a natural fit to lead the league into a new era. She has launched several new revenue-generating initiatives in the NBA, WNBA and G League and would require a minimal learning curve.
mrs. Ogwumike
LA Sparks All-Star, WNBPA President
To be clear, Ogwumike has already ruled out becoming commissioner, at least in the near future. In her retirement press conference in Los Angeles, Ogwumike said, “There’s a lot that’s asked of those roles in this league, and I know a lot of people are stepping up. I personally don’t think I’m qualified for it. But that doesn’t mean that maybe in the years to come, that opportunity might come up and I feel a little more comfortable.” She added: “I will definitely say that I am more interested in vacation than any other work.”
However, Ogwumike’s success as president of the players’ union, leading two monumental collective bargaining agreements, certainly gives her the support of the players and an understanding of the league’s business. If she ever wants to take on the role, it’s hard to imagine she wouldn’t be available.
Ogwumike led the players’ union for a decade. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
Condoleezza Rice
Former Secretary of State
Rice is both overqualified for this role and also a bit out of left field. She has no background as an athlete, but was a member of the original college football selection committee. As a former secretary of state, she is no stranger to high-pressure roles with a political component. She also mentored WNBA players who came through Stanford (where she was provost), including the Ogwumike sisters, giving her insight into how the league works. We also know her interest in women’s sports advocacy through her work with Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Jess Smith
President of the Golden State Valkyries
It may be too soon for Smith to be a real player in this conversation, but it seems like she’s ready for this role at some point.
Smith is the inaugural president of the Valkyries — the first WNBA franchise to reach a billion-dollar valuation — and she won executive of the year in their first season. It was chaired by a first class organization in terms of player experience and has a long history of success at the team level, including the NWSL’s Angel City FC in the early days of that franchise.