WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert challenged a reporter's question about her job longevity, questioning whether such a query would be posed to a male counterpart. The incident occurred during the 2026 WNBA Draft, which celebrated a new collective-bargaining agreement.
The 2026 WNBA Draft was mostly a joyous occasion Monday night. With the new collective-bargaining agreement (CBA) in hand, the event represented the start of the new era for the players, and a sign that â despite the labor unrest â the WNBA season would start on time.
Despite all those reasons for positivity, one awkward moment that occurred after the draft continued to get attention Tuesday. It involved WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert bristling at a question about how long she intended to remain in her job.
Engelbert tried to deflect the question originally, saying she wanted people to focus on the women players and owners in the league as well. She then brought it back to herself, adding, âI wonder whether you would ask that of a man.â
The reporter, Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, responded with, âI would. I would,â as Engelbert continued to give her response.
âI wonder whether you would ask that of a man." đ
Cathy Engelbertâs response to the question of how much longer she anticipates being the WNBAâs commissioner đł pic.twitter.com/7FZ3Yxgq7w
â Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 13, 2026
Kenneyâs question wasnât presented in a negative manner. Instead, she tied it to a March quote from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who was noncommittal when asked about Engelbertâs future. Silver hired Engelbert as the leagueâs commissioner back in 2019.
Given Silverâs comments, it was a fair question to ask of Engelbert, who found herself subject to some pointed criticisms from players during a contentious round of labor negotiations over the offseason.
A new CBA eventually did come together, and there didnât appear to be much bad blood shown to Engelbert ahead of the draft Monday night.
Cathy Engelbert is all smiles ahead of Draft Night! đ#WNBADraft presented by State Street Investment Management SPY pic.twitter.com/uaUkSKgFNA
â WNBA (@WNBA) April 13, 2026
Itâs unclear what the future holds for Engelbert moving forward. Silver made sure to add that he was âvery happyâ with Engelbert and the WNBA in March, implying he doesnât necessarily see a need to make a change.
Still, the comment about her job seemed to irk Engelbert, leading her to give a response that is still being picked apart hours after what was otherwise a fun, successful and celebratory WNBA Draft.
Cathy Engelbert responded by questioning whether the reporter would ask the same question of a man, emphasizing the focus should be on the players and owners.
The question arose during the 2026 WNBA Draft, which marked the beginning of a new era for the league following the ratification of a new collective-bargaining agreement.
The question was posed by reporter Madeline Kenney from the New York Post during a press interaction after the draft.
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