WNBA Seeks New Leader as Watkins Weighs Draft Entry Before Lottery

The 2027 WNBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for November 15, but the league faces a larger personnel decision before then. Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of 2026, concluding a seven-year tenure as the league's first commissioner. No replacement has been named, and the timeline for that announcement remains undefined.

Engelbert’s departure follows a period of mixed sentiment. While viewership, attendance, and salaries rose under her leadership, and three expansion teams were added, she faced sharp criticism from players. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier called the organization's management the 'worst leadership in the world' after the 2025 season. During the championship presentation to the Valkyries, Engelbert received loud booing.

The search for a new commissioner is casting a wide net. Bethany Donaphin, the WNBA's Head of League Operations, is a leading contender. NBA deputy commissioner Marc Tatum has also been mentioned as a candidate who could maintain alignment between the two leagues. ESPN reported that New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke and Valkyries president Jess Smith are under consideration. Hall of Famer Swin Cash and Nike executive Tanya Hvizdak are also on the list. The league stated it is proceeding with an 'open mind.'

The upcoming draft lottery will determine the No. 1 pick for the 2027 draft. The league recently released odds for the seven-team lottery, which includes the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. The Tempo, which went 2-24 in 2026, shares the best odds with the Houston Comets. The league used two-year aggregate records for most teams, but only the 2026 record for expansion franchises. The Tempo finished 11-33, matching the Comets' two-year winning percentage of .250.

USC wing JuJu Watkins is the projected favorite to secure the top selection. The 6-foot-2 player missed the 2026 season due to a torn ACL and is eligible to return to school for the 2027-28 year. She has not decided whether to declare for the draft. Watkins told CBS Sports that she is focused on winning a championship this year and will decide on her next step when the time is right.

The league added three expansion teams during Engelbert's tenure, with three more planned by 2030. Her exit leaves the next commissioner with a league that has grown in commercial value but requires a different approach to player relations. The November 15 lottery will be the first major event of the offseason, setting the stage for the 2027 draft class.