Adam Silver has heard from ‘several potential candidates’ for WNBA commissioner

At the end of this year, the WNBA will need a new leader.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she would retire from the position effective Dec. 31, concluding an a tenure that began in May 2019.

Like Engelbert, the new WNBA commissioner will report to NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The NBA owns 42% of the league and has oversight of it.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Silver was asked about the search for a WNBA commissioner during a press conference held after the NBA Board of Governors meetings. Silver said he and his colleagues — in the NBA and WNBA offices — are in the process of interviewing search firms to assist with finding Engelbert’s replacement.

“Once we hire a search firm, we’ll begin the search in earnest,” Silver said. “We've heard from several potential candidates, we've heard from others who are recommending candidates, and we are keeping that list right now at the office.”

Silver also addressed the autonomy a new commissioner might have to run the WNBA and make key decisions without input from the NBA. He said that aspect of the relationship between the two leagues is something that he is “constantly recalibrating.”

Engelbert was the first leader…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/