Cathy Engelbert is no stranger to hard work and long hours. As the commissioner of the WNBA, she has been tirelessly working to negotiate a new deal with the players’ union. And on March 18th, after hours of intense negotiations, Engelbert and the WNBPA finally reached an agreement.
But her work is far from over. In fact, Engelbert is about to enter what may be the busiest three weeks of her career. And she couldn’t be more excited about it.
With the new WNBA season just around the corner, Engelbert is now shifting her focus to the upcoming offseason. And it all starts with the expansion draft on April 3rd.
For those unfamiliar with the term, an expansion draft is when a new team joins a sports league and is allowed to select players from existing teams to form their own roster. In this case, the WNBA is adding a new team, the Las Vegas Aces, for the 2022 season. And Engelbert will be overseeing the draft process.
This is no easy task. Engelbert and her team will have to carefully consider which players to protect and which ones to leave available for the Aces to choose from. It’s a delicate balancing act, as teams don’t want to lose their top players, but at the same time, they also want to help the new team become competitive.
But Engelbert is more than up for the challenge. In fact, she sees this as an exciting opportunity for the league to grow and expand.
In a recent interview, Engelbert expressed her enthusiasm for the expansion draft, saying, “This is a huge moment for the WNBA. It’s a chance for us to welcome a new team and new fans into our league. I’m eager to see how the Aces will shape their roster and compete in our upcoming season.”
But the expansion draft is just the beginning. The offseason also includes the WNBA Draft on April 15th, where the league’s 12 teams will select the top college players to join their rosters. And Engelbert is already looking forward to one player in particular.
In the same interview, she revealed that she is a “huge fan” of Paige Bueckers, the star player from the University of Connecticut. Bueckers is currently a freshman and has been turning heads with her exceptional skills on the court.
Engelbert believes that Bueckers has what it takes to make a big impact in the WNBA, saying, “She’s such a talented and dynamic player. I can’t wait to see her compete at the professional level. I have no doubt that she will be a top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.”
This high praise from the commissioner is a testament to Bueckers’ skills and potential. And it’s clear that Engelbert is excited about the future of the league, with young players like Bueckers leading the way.
As the WNBA continues to grow and gain more recognition, there’s no doubt that Engelbert’s leadership and hard work have played a crucial role. And with the expansion draft and WNBA Draft just around the corner, it’s clear that she is dedicated to taking the league to even greater heights.
In the end, Engelbert’s passion and dedication to the WNBA is what sets her apart as a leader. She is not only focused on the business side of the league but also on growing the sport and supporting the players. And with her at the helm, the future of the WNBA looks brighter than ever.