Cathy Engelbert’s Gender Remark Sparks Backlash

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is facing backlash on social media after suggesting that she would not be asked about her job status if she were a man.

Engelbert spoke to reporters on Monday before the WNBA draft. Madeline Kenney of the New York Post asked Engelbert how much longer she wants to stay in her job and how long she anticipates holding it. 

“I do crack up how everybody’s focused on me, and you should be focused on the thousands of women who run this league, outside of myself,” Engelbert said. “Our women owners, board of governors, GMs, and head coaches, and my whole team of diverse women and men who are working hard to get our 30th season tipped off by May 8th. But I appreciate that you’re focused on me as well, I wonder if you would ask this of a man, by the way. We get asked different questions than men do.”

Writing generally about Engelbert’s press conference, Kenney posted on Twitter/X that the commissioner “was trying to take a victory lap, basking in the afterglow of the new CBA. Then she started putting out fires with gasoline.” Kenney, who interjected during Engelbert’s answer that she would indeed ask this of a man, doubled down on the sentiment after the video of the exchange proceeded to go viral. 

Engelbert’s comments—specifically about women getting asked different questions than men—were hardly well received.

“Objectively speaking, not only is Cathy wrong—this would be asked of a man and has—but her response was a failed attempt at diverting from the discussions about her job security,” wrote former FOS women’s sports reporter Annie Costabile.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy said Kenney’s inquiry was a “totally fair question” and concluded, “Hey Cathy you’re part of the problem with that response.”

“Male pro sports commissioners get asked questions about their future all the time,” wrote NBC Sports reporter Nicole Auerbach. “Totally valid question — and a fascinating, super-defensive response.”

Dozens of people also noted that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is consistently asked how much longer he will keep his job. “You keep trying to get rid of me. No such luck. I’m going to see if I can outlast you,” Bettman told a reporter last March.

Fried Egg Golf’s Kevin Van Valkenburg also pointed out that “we asked [former PGA Tour commissioner] Jay Monahan some version of this for three years.”

Although the WNBA has grown exponentially during her tenure, Engelbert’s job status has been an open question this year. NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently sidestepped a question about whether Engelbert will keep her job after this upcoming season.

“We haven’t had those discussions yet with the WNBA board,” Silver said last month. “I would only say Cathy has done a fantastic job since she’s come to the WNBA. Obviously, you could see just in the results.”

WNBA spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment from FOS.