Could the former First Lady of the United States eventually become the next commissioner of the WNBA?
There have been rumblings throughout this season about WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stepping away at the end of the year. Well, she confirmed this Friday that she’ll be retiring on Dec. 31.
“Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports,” Engelbert said in a statement. “I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined. I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become. I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come.”
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According to ESPN, the process to find Engelbert’s replacement will begin this month. Although a favorite hasn’t emerged, the latest odds from BetOnline are quite interesting.
As of this Friday night, Michelle Obama is the betting favorite to be the next WNBA commissioner at 3/1 odds.
Obama has not commented on Engelbert’s retirement nor has she said she’s interested in leading the WNBA. It seems like BetOnline is merely throwing her name out there since she’s a high-profile figure.
Who will become next WNBA commissioner?
If the WNBA wants someone who checks off a lot of boxes, Swin Cash would be a very respectable hire. For starters, the Hall of Fame forward won three WNBA titles and earned All-Star honors four times.
As for her experience off the court, Cash was the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans. Additionally, she has covered the WNBA as an analyst for Prime Video.
The WNBA has to make sure it gets this hire right as the league’s product is reaching new levels of popularity.
