• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 27, 2025
Front Office Sports Launches Front Office Sports Studios Learn More

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Sees NIL As ‘Huge Positive’ For WNBA 

  • Engelbert says NIL-boosted college players help attract broadcast and corporate partners to the WNBA.
  • The commissioner reiterated to FOS that college players can carry their NIL deals into the WNBA.
NIL college stars help attract broadcast, corporate partners to the WNBA, Engelbert says.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Front Office Sports in an interview that NIL has been a “huge positive” for the WNBA and women’s sports. 

“I think it’s actually a huge positive for the women athletes and the women’s game,” Engelbert said. “This is a huge positive for us. I may not have predicted it that way three, four years ago, but they’re getting huge followership and marketing. It’s attracting broadcast partners and corporate partners to us when [college players] come into our league. So I think it’s a huge plus.”

While LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne ranks first among On3’s women’s NIL earnings list, college basketball players account for ten of the top-15 spots. “If you look at the Elite Eight teams last year, the men versus the women, four out of the top five NIL earners were women basketball players,” Engelbert added.

Earlier this month, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes said she was disappointed with instances where college players make more money in NIL deals than they would as a salaried WNBA player. “I think it’s sad when college players are making more money than a professional WNBA player; it doesn’t make sense to me,” Swoopes said. 

But Engelbert asserts that college players could maintain their NIL deals at they enter the WNBA, particularly if they’re aligned with the WNBA’s national partners, such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Gatorade, CarMax, Ruffles, State Farm, Michelob Ultra, Body Armor, DoorDash, and PlayStation, among others. Aliyah Boston, the first overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, signed a multi-year deal earlier this month with Adidas. 

“No one calls it NIL when they get to the pros, they call it a marketing partnership,” Engelbert said. “The player NIL can carry over with them into their WNBA professional careers, specifically if it’s with a national brand—it’s a marketing partnership with that player. And there’s less restrictions once you get into the pro leagues than college.” 

Engelbert specifically highlighted several WNBA players who have appeared in television commercials during recent NBA Playoff broadcasts—including Arike Ogunbowale for State Farm alongside Mark Cuban, CarMax’s ad with Candace Parker and Steph Curry, Nneka Ogwumike for Michelob Ultra alongside Jimmy Butler, as well as A’ja Wilson for Ruffles alongside Charles Barkley and other NBA stars.  

“I’m so amazed when I’m watching at how much our players are being marketed, and that’s our equivalent of NIL. And the more they come in [from college] with followership and brands that know them, the better they’re going to do in the WNBA from that perspective,” the commissioner said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) react in the second quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

With Caitlin Clark’s Status Unclear, Fever-Wings Get-In Tix Down 40%

It should be the first professional face-off between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.
Jun 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina infielder Jackson Van De Brake (6) and outfielder Carter French (18) celebrate an out during the first inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Most Power Conference Sports Won’t See Revenue-Sharing Dollars

But there is a silver lining for Olympic sports: more scholarships.
Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) celebrates a 3-pointer Tuesday, June 3, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

DeWanna Bonner May Clear Waivers After Being Cut by Fever

The Fever signed her to a one-year unprotected contract just four months ago.

Featured Today

Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.

Bold Trades Shake Up NBA Draft After Predictable Start

A flurry of trades and falling draft positions lead the post-Flagg activity.
Soccer
June 25, 2025

Club World Cup Headed for Major Test in Knockout Round

The knockout round will test FIFA’s hypothesis for the new tournament.
Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; James Piot plays his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
June 25, 2025

From LIV to PGA Tour: James Piot Shows Path Back From Rival..

A former LIV Golf player is competing at this week’s Detroit event.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jun 22, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.
June 24, 2025

PGA Tour’s $20M Signature Events Finish 2025 Season Up in TV Ratings

The Travelers Championship was the last of eight elevated events this year.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
June 24, 2025

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.
Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.
June 24, 2025

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.
June 23, 2025

NBA Offseason: Draft Drama, Free Agency, and a Critical Owners Meeting

The 2025 NBA draft will be on June 25 and 26.