
Despite public assurances and promises to “do better,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has yet to take any meaningful steps that reassure players she prioritizes their interests over optics. In recent exchanges provoked by Lynx star and players’ union vice president Napheesa Collier’s scathing critique, Engelbert denied controversial remarks attributed to her, pledged to repair relationships, and announced the formation of a “state of the game” committee to address officiating. Yet these moves ring hollow to many players, who see them as reactive rather than structural—and insufficient to mend a widening credibility gap. What’s missing is evidence of concrete policy change, sustained dialogue, or accountability mechanisms that elevate players’ voices in decisionmaking. Without such follow‑through, her words risk being remembered not as a turning point but as another missed opportunity.