Cathy Engelbert

Cathy Engelbert is the commissioner of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is newsworthy due to her role in the significant developments within the league, particularly regarding player compensation. Recent news highlights her presence at the 2026 WNBA draft, where she posed with Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick selected by the Dallas Wings. More significantly, Engelbert is overseeing a historic salary increase for WNBA players. Average salaries are projected to rise from $120,000 to $583,000 annually, potentially reaching $1 million by 2032, with minimum salaries increasing from $66,000 to $270,000. This represents a substantial improvement in financial opportunities for professional female basketball players in the United States, making Engelbert a key figure in this transformative period for the WNBA.