‘(Cathy Engelbert) Deserves Her Flowers’ – Breanna Stewart Hails Outgoing WNBA Commissioner Despite Turbulent Stint

Terrance Biggs Wed, October 7, 2026 at 4:07 AM UTC

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‘(Cathy Engelbert) Deserves Her Flowers’ - Breanna Stewart Hails Outgoing WNBA Commissioner Despite Turbulent Stint

The WNBA continues to enjoy a transformative season in many respects as the league becomes increasingly popular. With a new collective bargaining agreement and high TV ratings, the league continues to trend upward. However, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert will be exiting the league later this year after seven years in office.

Her tenure has been polarizing, and her departure has people revisiting her time at the league’s helm. While Engelbert has faced criticism, one superstar player recently took time to defend Engelbert and the job she has done to grow the league.

Liberty Star Breanna Stewart Praises WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s Tenure

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart recently sat down with actor Jason Sudeikis to discuss a number of topics. During the conversation, the star forward credited Engelbert and her contributions to the WNBA.

“I think it is a really difficult job. I think that, honestly, Cathy has obviously gotten a lot of heat,” Stewart began.

That heat includes Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier arguing that the WNBA has “the worst leadership in the world.” The WNBA has also dealt with controversy after controversy, which has overshadowed the on-court product and talented players.

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However, Stewart outlined what could be the defining moment of Engelbert’s career.

“But also she deserves some praise too, you know, as she’s finishing because she helped get an incredible CBA done,” Stewart said.

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The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement changed the pay balance for women’s team sports. First, the players receive expanded revenue sharing. Next, the salary cap was raised from $1.5 million to $7 million. Also, the league projected an average salary of $583,000 for 2026, which is nearly five times the 2025 average.

For 2026, minimum salaries on full-season standard contracts range from $270,000 to $300,000, depending on service time, compared with a league-low minimum of $66,079 in 2025. Overall, the players saw their salaries greatly improved.

Stewart, an eight-time All-Star, believes that despite the rough patches, Engelbert is leaving the WNBA in a better place than how she found it.

“She deserves her flowers too and [I] definitely appreciate the way that she’s grown with this league as the league has grown,” Stewart added.

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Regardless of whether Stewart’s opinion echoes that of the majority of her fellow players, Engelbert did help change the pay structure for WNBA players. As a result, many players can support themselves without needing to play internationally, as was the case for so long.

While no successor has been named for Englebert, the next commissioner will take over a stable league that continues to reach new heights.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”