• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Adam Silver Wants NBA To Hire Its First Female Head Coach

  • The Commissioner would be ‘hugely disappointed’ if it didn’t happen within five years.
  • Silver made comments Thursday on podcast with Bonnie Bernstein.
Adam-Silver-NBA
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would be “hugely disappointed” if the NBA doesn’t hire its first female head coach within the next five years.

The Commissioner made the comments to Bonnie Bernstein on the NCAA’s podcast channel Thursday. 

“I would be hugely disappointed if certainly in five years we haven’t seen our first female head coach in the NBA,” said Silver.

On the podcast, the veteran sports TV journalist interviewed Silver and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert as part of her nine-part series, “Title IX College Sports Conversations with Bonnie Bernstein,” analyzing the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

The NBA’s first female head coach is overdue, according to Silver. Many younger NBA players have mothers who played college basketball or even in the WNBA.

“This generation coming in grew up differently, and has a different sensibility about roles men and women can play in the workforce. I’ve said this before, as much as professional sports has led and the WNBA and NBA have led in certain areas, we’re a bit behind in this area,” Silver said. “We should have more women head coaches. We should have a female head coach right now. We should have more women referees, and it’s something we’re working very hard on right now.”

In recent years, seven female coaches have been hired as NBA assistants.  The league has also hired more female referees.

Silver cited former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon as a woman who could eventually lead an NBA team. Hammon interviewed for the head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers before leading the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title.

Dawn Staley, head coach at the University of South Carolina, has also been cited as a candidate for an NBA head coaching job. Julianne Sitch of the University of Chicago recently made history as the first female coach to lead an NCAA men’s soccer team to a national championship.

Bernstein noted Silver helped write the original business plan for the WNBA.

“For as long as I’ve known him, dating back 20-plus years to his time at NBA Entertainment, Adam’s been a proponent of having women in key leadership positions. While he’s obviously not dictating coaching hires, or officiating hires, his voice carries an extraordinary amount of weight,” she told Front Office Sports.

“It not only moves the needle in basketball circles, it influences all of sports. So, for him to be as vocal as he was about the NBA being behind the eight ball when it comes to women in coaching and officiating, that’s an incredibly powerful statement.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Valkyries Debut Season Sets Stage for Free-Agent Buzz

The Valkyries were eliminated in the first round on Wednesday.
Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Ryder Cup: Secret Service Key to Smooth Trump Attendance

Trump’s attendance at the US Open delayed the men’s final.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.
September 16, 2025

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
September 16, 2025

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.
September 15, 2025

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
September 15, 2025

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.