3-Time WNBA Champion Among 7 Top Candidates To Replace Commissioner Cathy Engelbert—Report

After seven years as WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of the calendar year. So, the league is searching for its new leader and has identified several strong candidates. 

According to ESPN‘s Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel, seven candidates have been shortlisted as potential replacements. The list includes three-time WNBA champion Swin Cash and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. The other five are Keia Clarke, Bethany Donaphin, Tanya Hvizdak, Jess Smith, and Mark Tatum.

Oct 3, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks during a presser before the start of game one of the 2025 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Engelbert was the first WNBA commissioner elected in 2019. Her predecessors held the title of ‘president.’ Before joining the league, she was Deloitte’s CEO and played a crucial role in growing revenue by 30% to more than $20 billion.

Notable achievements during her tenure included renegotiating the league’s media rights, adding expansion teams, and laying out plans for future expansion. However, she faced significant backlash for her role in the 2025 CBA negotiations. Players criticized her, claiming their compensation had failed to keep pace with the league’s revenue growth. 

Engelbert has already made it clear that her replacement could come from either within or outside the league. However, the WNBA would be looking for a candidate who could smoothly balance managing players with building relationships with team owners, business leaders, and other executives. That said, the reported seven shortlisted candidates have impressive resumes for the WNBA commissioner role. 

Swin Cash’s experience in business administration may be limited, but there is no doubt that she is one of the top candidates for the role. The three-time WNBA champion has previously worked in the front offices of the New York Liberty and New Orleans Pelicans. 

Nneka Ogwumike is serving her second term as president of the WNBPA. This certainly speaks to her credibility and relationships with the league’s players. The 36-year-old may have a stronger relationship with the players than Cathy Engelbert does, but building relationships with league stakeholders is also part of the commissioner’s job.

Jun 15, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) looks for a pass during the second quarter against the Golden State Valkyries in a Commissioner’s Cup game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-Imagn Images

Bethany Donaphin has been with the WNBA for nearly a decade. An MBA graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, she serves as the league’s head of operations. 

Keia Clarke, another name on the list, currently serves as the CEO of the New York Liberty. Meanwhile, Jess Smith is another candidate on the list with WNBA team experience. She is the current president of the Golden State Valkyries.

Tanya Hvizdak is the only candidate on the list who is currently outside the league. She is serving as Nike’s vice president of global sports marketing. 

Finally, Mark Tatum is another prominent name among the shortlisted candidates. The current deputy commissioner of the NBA previously served as interim president following Lisa Borders departure and before Cathy Engelbert’s appointment. 

Engelbert’s term ends on December 31, 2026. The process of finding a successor for the WNBA commissioner role could begin by the end of this month.