WNBA Commissioner Search Enters Final Stages as League Prepares for Expansion

The WNBA is actively conducting in-person interviews to find a successor for outgoing commissioner Cathy Engelbert, with the league aiming to finalize the appointment by December 31. While the search process began in earnest this October following the engagement of Excel Search & Advisory, officials confirmed that the league is now deeply involved in vetting candidates.

Should the search extend beyond the new year, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum is positioned as a potential interim leader. Tatum previously held similar responsibilities following the departure of Lisa Borders in 2019, providing the league with a familiar contingency plan as it navigates this leadership transition.

Beyond the executive search, the league's competition committee met in New York to outline the framework for the 2026 season. Key developments include a scheduled expansion of the regular season from 44 to 50 games. Despite the increased volume of play, Engelbert noted that the league's overall calendar footprint will remain stable, as there is no requirement to accommodate breaks for major international competitions.

The committee also reviewed officiating standards, building on the work of a dedicated task force that includes prominent figures such as Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve. While no formal rule changes were implemented during the meeting, the league confirmed plans to launch a centralized replay center next season to address ongoing concerns regarding game-day consistency.