The WNBA is eyeing a new boss. Multiple outlets reported outgoing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert submitted a list of candidates to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of her end-of-year retirement.
Sources indicate the search begins later this month, with the league open to a non-traditional pick while prioritizing stronger relationships with players, owners, and executives after Engelbert’s sometimes rocky rapport.
Engelbert told The AP that she’s been building a succession plan for years. She’s additionally prepared to stay on into early 2027 if the league fails to find a replacement.
ESPN named WNBA’s Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin, Liberty CEO Keia Clarke, and Valkyries President Jess Smith as potential commissioner candidates according to “people around the league.”
Three-time champion Swin Cash and Nike executive Tanya Hvizdak are also in the mix. They join WNBPA President and LA Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike — also set to retire after this season.
“I don’t close doors,” Ogwumike said when asked if she’d consider the job. “But I do appreciate vacation.”
The No. 6 Golden State Valkyries made WNBA history this week, becoming the first-ever expansion team to clinch a playoffs berth in their debut year with Thursday's 84-80 win over the already-eliminated No. 13 Dallas Wings.
The Valkyries overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to top the Wings, with forward Janelle Salaün scoring nine of her team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to seal to deal.
"This is awesome," said guard Veronica Burton, who added 15 points to Thursday's victory. "It's a testament to all the work that we put in…to the belief that our coaching staff had in us."
"I told the girls, I intentionally picked you guys for this reason, to do things for the first [time]," Golden State boss Natalie Nakase said afterwards.
In addition to their newly claimed postseason history, Golden State set the WNBA record for most wins by an expansion team with 23 on the season so far, while also leading the league in three-pointers as well as attendance marks — all under first-year head coach Nakase.
"What's kind of cool is we like to be uncomfortable," continued Nakase. "I have 13 players that love to be pushed."
Golden State will literally be out of their comfort zone during the 2025 WNBA Playoffs, with the Valkyries forced to relocate their first-round home game from San Francisco's Chase Center to the SAP Center in nearby San Jose due to a pre-existing scheduling conflict.
"While we would have loved to host our first playoff game at Chase Center and sought every opportunity to try and make that happen, Ballhalla has never been about just one building — it's about the incredible community our fans have created," said team president Jess Smith in a statement.