- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,330
- Reaction score
- 59
The 2026 WNBA Draft was mostly a joyous occasion Monday night. With the new collective-bargaining agreement (CBA) in hand, the event represented the start of the new era for the players, and a sign that — despite the labor unrest — the WNBA season would start on time.
Despite all those reasons for positivity, one awkward moment that occurred after the draft continued to get attention Tuesday. It involved WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert bristling at a question about how long she intended to remain in her job.
Engelbert tried to deflect the question originally, saying she wanted people to focus on the women players and owners in the league as well. She then brought it back to herself, adding, “I wonder whether you would ask that of a man.”
The reporter, Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, responded with, “I would. I would,” as Engelbert continued to give her response.
Kenney’s question wasn’t presented in a negative manner. Instead, she tied it to a March quote from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who was noncommittal when asked about Engelbert’s future. Silver hired Engelbert as the league’s commissioner back in 2019.
Given Silver’s comments, it was a fair question to ask of Engelbert, who found herself subject to some pointed criticisms from players during a contentious round of labor negotiations over the offseason.
A new CBA eventually did come together, and there didn’t appear to be much bad blood shown to Engelbert ahead of the draft Monday night.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Engelbert moving forward. Silver made sure to add that he was “very happy” with Engelbert and the WNBA in March, implying he doesn’t necessarily see a need to make a change.
Still, the comment about her job seemed to irk Engelbert, leading her to give a response that is still being picked apart hours after what was otherwise a fun, successful and celebratory WNBA Draft.
Continue reading...
Despite all those reasons for positivity, one awkward moment that occurred after the draft continued to get attention Tuesday. It involved WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert bristling at a question about how long she intended to remain in her job.
Engelbert tried to deflect the question originally, saying she wanted people to focus on the women players and owners in the league as well. She then brought it back to herself, adding, “I wonder whether you would ask that of a man.”
The reporter, Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, responded with, “I would. I would,” as Engelbert continued to give her response.
Kenney’s question wasn’t presented in a negative manner. Instead, she tied it to a March quote from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who was noncommittal when asked about Engelbert’s future. Silver hired Engelbert as the league’s commissioner back in 2019.
Given Silver’s comments, it was a fair question to ask of Engelbert, who found herself subject to some pointed criticisms from players during a contentious round of labor negotiations over the offseason.
A new CBA eventually did come together, and there didn’t appear to be much bad blood shown to Engelbert ahead of the draft Monday night.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Engelbert moving forward. Silver made sure to add that he was “very happy” with Engelbert and the WNBA in March, implying he doesn’t necessarily see a need to make a change.
Still, the comment about her job seemed to irk Engelbert, leading her to give a response that is still being picked apart hours after what was otherwise a fun, successful and celebratory WNBA Draft.
Continue reading...
