Bill Simmons would ‘bet anything’ on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert being replaced

Bill Simmons believes commissioner Cathy Engelbert is the biggest problem in the WNBA, and he expects that problem to be resolved before next season.

Despite boasting players who are both uniquely talented and marketable personalities leading to record ratings and popularity, the national conversation around the WNBA continues to be largely negative. The WNBA has shown little ability to sidestep any potential controversy, the latest involving a hard foul from Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington as she chased down the Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham.

Unfortunately, the foul was met with harsh overreaction from fans and media considering Cunningham has become a sort of polarizing figure for her recent comments on transgender athletes. Carrington did little to temper flaring emotions when she posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on social media from the locker room after she was ejected for the foul on Cunningham. And amid the mounting controversies, Simmons believes the WNBA needs new leadership.

“Nobody needs a commissioner more than the WNBA right now.”@BillSimmons shares his frustration with the discourse around the league and explains why there needs to be a change in leadership. pic.twitter.com/67myX6RY97

— The Ringer (@ringer) August 10, 2026

“Nobody needs a commissioner more than the WNBA right now,” Simmons said before listing some of the great stories in the WNBA that are being overshadowed by more controversial ones. “The league’s legitimately fun to watch, and yet, all anyone talks about is dumb sh*t. Anyone who participates in the sh*tty discourse about the league, I think that speaks more about them than the league. But what the league really needs is a commissioner, and I would personally bet anything that we will not have this commissioner next year.”

“I’ve never seen a league more determined to not push fun stars and fun storylines and fun people,” Simmons continued. “Like Olivia Miles, if this was the NBA, this would be anyone talked about, ‘Have you seen Olivia Miles? She’s on tonight…’ In the WNBA, she’s like an annoyance, that she’s just a good storyline. Push your f*cking player! Instead, it’s all this discourse stuff, and they’re just stepping in bear traps left and right because they have no adults in charge of the league.”

Pro sports commissioners have a history of not being popular with fanbases. As successful as the NFL is, Roger Goodell has been subjected to widespread animosity, criticism and booing. Major League Baseball has seen its popularity grow in recent years, yet Rob Manfred is often considered one of the worst commissioners in league history.

It’s obvious why fans traditionally hate commissioners. Commissioners are the face of every unpopular league decision. They’re also often tone-deaf figureheads who will do anything to make sure franchise owners are getting every possible dollar.

But with Engelbert, the criticism has been different. WNBA fans and media can finally respect the league’s ability to cash in on some of its growing popularity. But it’s Engelbert watching from the sidelines as all the WNBA’s good stories are hijacked by people who aren’t fans, but seek to bury any positive press behind manufactured controversies and bad-faith conversations.

Simmons isn’t alone in placing blame on Engelbert. It’s hard to find anybody commending her for the job she’s done as a leader for the WNBA. Despite the mounting scrutiny, Engelbert has remained in power after overseeing a period of large financial growth.

Engelbert’s contract is reportedly up later this year, which should give credence to Simmons betting on her being replaced. But Engelbert was also reportedly supposed to step down after the league’s latest round of collective bargaining negotiations. Those contentious negotiations came and went earlier this year with an agreement being reached in time for the WNBA regular season, and Engelbert is still commissioner.