Wanted: A new WNBA commissioner. She must be everything to everyone

With Cathy Engelbert announcing she will retire at the end of the WNBA season, the article argues the next commissioner will face a demanding mix of business execution and human communication. It recalls an awkward, viral moment during the 2025 All-Star weekend in downtown Indianapolis, where Engelbert interacted on camera with players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman during the “StudBudz” segment. From there, the piece frames the leadership challenge ahead: improving the league’s financial solvency without treating players as only revenue drivers, managing disruption from outside pressures while understanding the workforce internally, and navigating the higher scrutiny female CEOs often face. It also warns against excusing mistakes while insisting that criticism can be justified regardless of gender. The article references commentary about other leaders and workplace issues, and ends mid-sentence, indicating it may be truncated.