"Unlike other commissioners, Engelbert's league is structured so that she answers to another boss, who answers to 30 bosses himself. What does she think her job is? The bios she uses at conferences say it is "setting the vision for the WNBA," "overseeing the league's day-to-day business and basketball operations," "bolstering visibility for the sport of women's basketball," "empowering the WNBA players," "leading the business through transformation," and "enhancing fan engagement.""
"Consider the visibility bolstered, the fan engaged, the WNBA player empowered. On Tuesday afternoon, Minnesota Lynx star and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier read a prepared statement at her season-end exit press conference, a six-minute obloquy of the league and its commissioner. "We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now, we have the worst leadership in the world," Collier said."
The WNBA commissioner represents ownership and traditionally absorbs public criticism while managing league operations. Engelbert reports within a governance structure that limits unilateral authority, answering to an intermediary who answers to 30 owners. Her stated priorities include setting league vision, overseeing day-to-day business and basketball operations, bolstering visibility for women's basketball, empowering players, transforming the business, and enhancing fan engagement. Players have expressed sharp dissatisfaction with leadership quality and with officiating. A season-end press conference featured a pointed six-minute critique labeling current leadership as the worst. A private exchange at an offseason event included a dismissive remark about complaints over referees.
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