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    Chiney Ogwumike and Cathy Engelbert. - Source: Imagn
    Chiney Ogwumike and Cathy Engelbert. - Source: Imagn
    Chiney Ogwumike and Cathy Engelbert. - Source: Imagn
    Chiney Ogwumike and Cathy Engelbert. - Source: Imagn

    “She Has Helped Push the W Forward”: Chiney Ogwumike Advocates for Cathy Engelbert’s Contribution As WNBA Commissioner

    WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been at the helm of the league for seven years and was the first commissioner since the WNBA used to call the position “president.” She came at a time when women’s basketball was steadily growing, and with that success came an even bigger challenge. The league entered the COVID-19 bubble just over a year later, and Engelbert had to pivot her direction.
    Nowadays, Engelbert is facing a lot of criticism for how she is handling the league, particularly on the several social and socioeconomic issues it is facing. But for former Los Angeles Sparks forward and current sports analyst Chiney Ogwumike, Engelbert has contributed a ton to the WNBA’s success. Ogwumike brought up the bubble season, noting that Engelbert was still able to attract investors during that time.

    “Yeah, I think just to start, giving some background to my personal relationship, I have a great relationship with Cathy Engelbert, and that was basically established when she came into the job and she knew that she had to build those during a very difficult time. I mean, she comes in, there’s the bubble season, there’s social unrest, there’s social justice that she has to spearhead, you know, bringing together the players, but also bringing together the business,” Owgumike said (Timestamp: 0:10).

    “And it is absolutely undisputed that she has helped push the W forward financially, bringing in stakeholders and, even, like, that equity involvement that was an influx of capital to help spearhead what we’re seeing right now.”

    Ogwumike is known for bringing up issues in the WNBA and using her platform to advocate for the better. But it seems as though Ogwumike is advocating for Engelbert and the work she has done despite the backlash the WNBA commissioner has received lately. Still, there are matters that Engelbert will have to address, similarly to when she talked about player safety initiatives on Saturday during All-Star Weekend.

    Chiney Ogwumike pointed out what Cathy Engelbert has to improve on despite her contributions

    Despite backing Cathy Engelbert, Chiney Ogwumike pointed out a couple of areas that the WNBA commissioner can improve.

    “The dynamics have changed, and I would just put it into two ways,” Ogwumike said (Timestamp: 0:51). “Publicly, there has been a lack of presence by a commissioner in probably the most important moments, which makes players feel like there’s no leadership in the room that can really direct all key pieces, whether it’s ownership in the front office or the players or the coaches. There’s just no presence publicly. And then privately, there’s been a deterioration of relationships.”

    Some of the issues that the WNBA is facing are player discrimination, verbally and online, and player compensation.

    Also Read:

    Fans Blast Stephen A. Smith, Chiney Ogwumike’s Podcast on “Caitlin Clark Controversy” After Fever Star Gets Blunt About Emotional Turmoil

    Cathy Engelbert Takes Firm Stand Against Death Threats Targeting WNBA Stars While Detailing Player Safety Initiatives

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