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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert struggles at celebrity golf tournament amid league scrutiny originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Cathy Engelbert's weekend at the American Century Championship didn't provide much relief from the spotlight surrounding the WNBA.
The league commissioner spent the weekend competing alongside athletes and celebrities at the annual celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. While the event is known for its relaxed atmosphere, Engelbert finished near the bottom of the leaderboard as questions about her leadership continue to dominate conversation around the WNBA.
Her appearance came just days after renewed criticism over the league's handling of several high-profile issues involving Caitlin Clark and the WNBA's growing national profile.
Engelbert finishes near bottom of celebrity golf leaderboard
Engelbert competed in the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course from July 10-12, joining nearly 90 athletes, entertainers and public figures in the annual event. The tournament uses the Modified Stableford scoring system, where players earn points for good holes and lose points for poor ones. Unlike traditional stroke play, finishing with a negative score indicates a difficult tournament.
Engelbert finished tied for 86th out of 89 competitors with a score of minus-54. Former tennis star Mardy Fish captured the championship with 72 points, while former NHL standout Joe Pavelski finished second with 66 points. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry placed third at 59 points.
Engelbert tied comedian Ray Romano on the leaderboard and finished ahead of only sports broadcaster Rich Eisen and actor John O'Hurley. While celebrity golf scores rarely generate significant headlines on their own, Engelbert's finish drew added attention because it came during one of the most scrutinized stretches of her tenure as commissioner.
Questions surrounding WNBA leadership continue
Engelbert has served as WNBA commissioner since 2019, overseeing a period of rapid growth fueled by record television ratings, attendance and sponsorships. That growth has also brought heightened scrutiny, particularly surrounding the league's handling of controversies involving Caitlin Clark and player safety. Engelbert has faced criticism from media personalities and fans who believe the league has not done enough to address recurring issues involving officiating, physical play and public messaging.
One of the most notable moments from the weekend came away from the golf course. Sports broadcaster Dan Patrick revealed Engelbert was scheduled to appear on his radio show from Lake Tahoe before canceling the interview. Patrick publicly expressed his disappointment.
"If you want to be treated as a serious league, this is what happens," Patrick said. "These are tough questions, but this is a fair outlet for you — a fair platform. I will treat you with respect."
Veteran sports journalist Jemele Hill agreed with Patrick's criticism, writing on social media that Engelbert needs to be more visible during a pivotal moment for the league. Hill argued that the commissioner should be "out front" addressing difficult topics rather than avoiding them, adding that "weak statements aren't going to cut it."
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Spotlight remains firmly on the WNBA
Despite the disappointing finish in Lake Tahoe, Engelbert's golf score is unlikely to have any lasting impact compared to the broader challenges facing the league. The WNBA continues to enjoy unprecedented popularity, with television audiences, ticket demand and corporate partnerships reaching historic levels. At the same time, every decision made by league leadership is receiving greater attention than ever before.
As the second half of the 2026 season approaches, Engelbert will likely remain under the microscope as the WNBA attempts to balance its rapid growth with increasing expectations from players, fans and media alike.
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