Spotlight Opinion: WNBA thrived despite Cathy Engelbert. She won't be missed NANCY ARMOUR USA Today Sep 6, 2026 19 hrs ago 0 × SNTV FILE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The most damning judgment of Cathy Engelbert’s legacy as WNBA commissioner is that the league is thriving in spite of her, rather than because of her.kAmt?86=36CE 925 E96 8@@5 7@CEF?6 E@ 36 4@>>:DD:@?6C 2E 2 E:>6 H96? :?E6C6DE :? H@>6?’D DA@CED :D 6IA=@5:?8 2?5 r2:E=:? r=2C< 92D 42AE:G2E65 E96 4@F?ECJ] x?DE625 @7 >@G:?8 962G6? 2?5 62CE9 E@ 42A:E2=:K6 @? E92E[ t?86=36CE 2=:6?2E65 96C A=2J6CD[ 5C28865 96C 766E @? =628F6 6IA2?D:@? 2?5 492CE6C 7=:89ED[ 2?5 H2D =2C86=J D:=6?E H96? :?E6C?6E EC@==D 2?5 325 24E@CD DA6H65 C24:D> 2?5 92E6 2?5 EC:65 E@ >2<6 2 >@4<6CJ @7 E96 =628F6]k^AmkAm$96 92D 366? F?23=6 E@ >66E E96 >@>6?E D96 H2D 8:7E65[ 2?5 D96 H:== ?@E 36 >:DD65]k^Am People are also reading… Saltville readies for 55th Labor Day celebration Body of teen recovered from a Virginia reservoir Virginia Tech football fans enthused about new coach, new season Chilhowie to consider joining Virginia Main Street program No mercy: Smyth prosecutor, victim's nephew fight murderer's parole 'Damn good' Virginia Tech hands VMI its most lopsided loss ever Sacred ground: In his search, Barnette teaches others to care for cemeteries, grave markers Energy company awards grant to Marion Fire-EMS, expresses support for firefighters VMI football team excited to play Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium How to watch Virginia Tech football against VMI Who has the edge at each position in Virginia Tech's season opener against VMI? Da'Shawn Martin's TD was a 'great moment' and now he's ready to help UVa develop its passing game James Franklin delivers in debut as Virginia Tech routs VMI 3 takeaways from James Franklin’s debut win at Virginia Tech Marion council to take up proposed loitering ordinance again WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks at the start of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13 in New York City. Brad Penner, Imagn Images kAm“x C6E:C6 <?@H:?8 H6 92G6 3F:=E D@>6E9:?8 3:886C[ DEC@?86C 2?5 >@C6 6?5FC:?8 E92? H6 4@F=5 92G6 :>28:?65[” t?86=36CE D2:5 :? E96 uC:52J DE2E6>6?E 2??@F?4:?8 96C C6E:C6>6?E 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96 D62D@?]k^AmkAm“x 2> 8C2E67F= E@ E96 (}qp 2?5 }qp E62> @H?6CD 2?5 DE277[ A=2J6CD[ :?G6DE@CD[ 72?D 2?5 E96 A@H6C9@FD6 =628F6 @77:46 DE277[ H9@ 36=:6G65 :? H92E E9:D =628F6 4@F=5 364@>6[Q D96 25565] Qx C6E:C6 H:E9 :>>6?D6 8C2E:EF56 2?5 EC6>6?5@FD @AE:>:D> 7@C E96 7FEFC6 @7 E96 (}qp[ H:E9 E96 36DE J6E E@ 4@>6]Qk^AmkAm(:E9 t?86=36CE :? 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J@F 7@F?5 :E] t?86=36CE 42? 2E =62DE D2J E92E[ 6G6? :7 D96V== 36 C6>6>36C65 >@DE 7@C 2== E96 H2JD D96 76== D9@CE]k^Am 0 Comments Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story FILE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December FILE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Franklin on win over VMI James Franklin, Hokies arrive for season opener against VMI James Franklin, Hokies arrive for season opener against VMI Hokies' Franklin on facing VMI Hokies' Franklin on facing VMI Hokies' Franklin on safety depth Hokies' Franklin on safety depth
FILE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December FILE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December
