Cathy Engelbert’s WNBA commissioner timeline: Growth, controversy intertwined

Cathy Engelbert's complicated tenure as WNBA commissioner is coming to an end, with the embattled executive announcing Friday, Sept. 4, she plans to retire at the end of this year.

Engelbert, who was previously CEO of professional services firm Deloitte, has served as the WNBA's top executive since May 2019. She led the league through the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiations for two collective bargaining agreements signed in 2020 and 2026, the awarding of multiple expansion franchises and several controversies.

Here's a timeline of events that highlighted Englebert's tenure with the WNBA:

The WNBA switched its top job title from president to commissioner when Engelbert took over from Lisa Borders shortly before the league's 2019 season began. Engelbert stated in a "SportsCenter" appearance that she would prioritize fan engagement, fan experience and player experience in her new role.

Engelbert helped negotiate the groundbreaking CBA that took effect before the 2020 season and increased player salary and additional cash compensation. The agreement also introduced 50-50 revenue split — but only if certain goals were hit on marketing and broadcast deals. That did not happen until the final season of the deal in 2025. The agreement also allowed players to receive full salary while…

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