Story perspectives

Engelbert Announces 2026 WNBA Retirement as CBA Raises Salaries

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 2:48 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire at the end of 2026.
Excel Search & Advisory is running the succession process and has received several candidate submissions.
The WNBA will grow from 12 to 15 teams, adding Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
A new collective bargaining agreement through 2032 raised player salaries fivefold and introduced a salary cap and revenue-share growth.

1 of 1

Story summary

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she will retire at the end of 2026.
Excel Search & Advisory is running the succession process and has received several candidate submissions.
The WNBA will grow from 12 to 15 teams, adding Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
A new collective bargaining agreement through 2032 raised player salaries fivefold and introduced a salary cap and revenue-share growth.