Is Cathy Engelbert's Time as WNBA Commissioner Running Out? With Front Office Sports' Colin Salao

The WNBA has never been more popular — or more chaotic behind the scenes. In this episode, Hoopsology welcomes back Front Office Sports reporter Colin Salao to unpack the business stories shaping the league that aren't showing up in the box scores. Colin starts by breaking down the exhaustion players and front offices are feeling around the ongoing Sophie Cunningham/Indiana Fever storyline, and what it reveals about a deeper communication gap between the league office and its players. That leads into a deep dive on Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's uncertain future — including Colin's on-the-record reporting from All-Star weekend, Caitlin Clark's and A'ja Wilson's telling comments about their relationship with the commissioner, and why Colin believes the league may be searching for a new leader once the current CBA cycle stabilizes. Colin makes the case for what kind of person the WNBA actually needs next, drawing comparisons to Dana White's early UFC playbook and Sue Bird's respected role with USA Basketball. The conversation shifts to the business of expansion — the Golden State Valkyries' historic first-year success, how the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are positioning themselves to compete early, and what Cathy Engelbert's globalization plans (international games, a possible USA vs. France exhibition) could mean for the league's next growth phase. Colin also shares his original reporting on skyrocketing season ticket prices, including a Mystics season-ticket holder facing a 48% price jump, and the surprising (and disputed) reason some fans were given for the increase. From there, the episode covers the WNBA's own social media team accidentally promoting a prohibited prop bet between Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, why Athletes Unlimited is pausing its 2027 season, the mysterious and still-undefined "Project B" league, and Jonquel Jones's emotional press conference moment after a hot-mic controversy at All-Star weekend. The episode closes with a fun hypothetical: could a "Drive to Survive"-style documentary actually work for the WNBA — and would players ever be vulnerable enough to make it happen? This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the business, leadership, and growing pains behind the WNBA's biggest season yet. 🏀 Subscribe to Hoopsology Podcast for in-depth NBA and WNBA conversations, insider interviews, and breaking news breakdowns you won't find anywhere else. 👉 Follow Colin Salao: Front Office Sports (frontofficesports.com), X/Twitter @colincsalao, Instagram @colinsalao 👉 Drop a comment: Should Cathy Engelbert stay on as WNBA commissioner? #WNBA #CathyEngelbert #Hoopsology #FrontOfficeSports #WNBABusiness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices