We have to admit…when Mark Tatum said at the WNBA draft that the hope was the W would have a new leader prior to the start of the regular season, he delivered.
When it was hinted that this would be a different sort of hire, they delivered.
In a day that was mostly, up until that point, filled with Liz Cambage news, the AP’s Doug Feinberg dropped a bombshell with a report that a new league commissioner, as opposed to a “president” would be announced today.
AP Source: Cathy Engelbert of Deloitte to be new @WNBA President.
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) May 15, 2019
Other outlets also confirmed the news, then it was made official during a noon airing of SportsCenter on ESPN.
A message from Cathy Engelbert, the first-ever WNBA Commissioner 🗣 pic.twitter.com/Nbw7mW0MJW
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 15, 2019
Thrilled and honored! 🏀 https://t.co/n4G9hgbk9q
— Cathy Engelbert (@CathyEngelbert) May 15, 2019
Engelbert will join the WNBA once her four-year term as CEO of Deloitte comes to a close. That will happen on July 17…approximately a week prior to the WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas. Meaning this year’s All-Star is shaping up to be quite the event.
It will likely be how Engelbert welcomes herself officially to the WNBA as Mark Tatum transitions out of his interim role. There’s also this supposedly related to the game as well.
ummm… wait WHAT….
ESPN will broadcast the 2019 WNBA All-Star Special from the Mandalay Bay Center in Las Vegas on Friday July 26, at 7 p.m. on ABC. The All-Star Special will include skills and three-point contests. Additional details for ABC’s telecast closer to the game..
— Ben W (@mntwins020733) May 14, 2019
The WNBA will benefit significantly from her more than 30 years of business and operational experience including revenue generation, sharp entrepreneurial instincts and proven management abilities.
–NBA commissioner Adam Silver (per league press release)
Hiring someone with a strong business acumen was crucial for the WNBA both on a short-term and long-term basis. For a short-term basis because Engelbert may be able to bridge the gap existing between the owners and the WNBPA heading into what is sure to be a contentious CBA negotiating period prior to a prospective 2020 season.
WNBPA Executive Committee Statement Regarding Hire of @CathyEngelbert as @WNBA Commissioner pic.twitter.com/9rWtpn83TF
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) May 15, 2019
It was also important long-term because the WNBA has never had someone in charge of the league that held the title of commissioner. The tenures of Val Ackerman, Donna Orender, Laurel Richie and Lisa Borders were all short-lived tenures.
Crucial for the WNBA is someone who looks at the job as a long-term thing instead of merely a stepping stone to something bigger and better in their view. Hiring someone from a major accounting firm who also has extensive basketball acumen could be what the league needs to bring some stability to it, but only time will tell.
Engelbert also brings a progressive background to her new post, including a 16-week family leave policy she implemented through her days at Deloitte.
I see tremendous opportunity to bolster visibility for the sport of women’s basketball, empower the players, and enhance fan engagement. I look forward to using my business expertise and passion for basketball to promote women in the game and beyond, and to working with the teams and world-class athletes to help grow this league into a thriving business.
–Cathy Engelbert (per league press release)
She played basketball while at Lehigh University, where she played under current Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw.
Now I have 11 alums currently in the WNBA! Congratulations to Cathy Englebert (Lehigh ‘86) on being named WNBA commissioner – great hire! pic.twitter.com/viHSiFEXgS
— Muffet McGraw (@MuffetMcGraw) May 15, 2019
Engelbert has been named one of Forbes’ most powerful women the last four years and has been listed among Crain’s 50 Most Powerful Women in New York.
