The WNBA's momentum isn't slowing down. While free agency continues to make headlines, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is already charting an ambitious international course for the league's future.
Speaking ahead of Monday night's draft, Engelbert revealed the league is actively planning to host its first-ever game outside of North America in 2027. This landmark move follows the successful expansion into Toronto this season, marking the WNBA's first franchise beyond U.S. borders. "We're heavily looking at that," Engelbert stated, confirming plans for either an exhibition or a regular-season contest overseas. "Obviously this year we have the FIBA World Cup. Next year we expect that we’ll do something outside of North America as a true global game."
This global vision comes on the heels of a transformative period for the league. The 2026 draft class was introduced just days after a historic free agency window opened, one that saw the WNBA's first million-dollar contracts become a reality. "I’m pretty emotional seeing 23 million-dollar contracts signed only two days into free agency," Engelbert shared. "Now these players can build real generational wealth."
When asked about her own future as commissioner, Engelbert redirected the focus to the league's collective growth. "I do crack up, everyone’s focused on me and you should be focused on the hundreds and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself," she remarked, adding pointedly, "I wonder if you would ask that of a man?" She expressed being "thrilled with the trajectory, growth and was really looking forward to the next few years."
On the business front, Engelbert noted that the Board of Governors must still approve the sale of the Connecticut Sun to Tilman Fertitta, owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets. While specifics of a potential move from Connecticut to Houston are for future discussion, Engelbert praised Connecticut as a "great basketball state for women’s basketball, some would call it the center of women’s basketball," and expressed hope that fans would continue to support the team this season.
Finally, Engelbert provided an update on the league's new collective bargaining agreement, estimating the lengthy document at 400 to 500 pages and confirming it would be finalized soon, solidifying the foundation for this exciting new era of WNBA basketball.