It’s safe to say WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert isn’t a fan favorite.
That much was clear as she was met with emphatic boos from the crowd at Barclays Center while she attempted to present the New York Liberty with the Commissioner’s Cup trophy on Tuesday.
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There was no mistaking the target of the negative crowd reception, as the boos began the instant the tournament’s namesake touched the mic, and didn’t stop until she was done speaking.
After New York outlasted a fourth quarter comeback attempt from the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces to secure a 93-85 win, Engelbert had plenty to discuss.
The Liberty secured a $500,000 prize and became the league’s first team to become two-time champions in the in-season tournament, which was introduced in 2021 — an impressive result considering New York’s tumultuous start to the season. Breanna Stewart won the title game’s MVP award, another rousing development considering she was dealing with injuries en route to an early playoff exit last season.
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But instead of delivering a message that touched any of the major plot points, it appeared that the crowd contributed to Engelbert rushing through her comments.
“Congratulations to both teams. Hard fought by the Aces to get here tonight,” Engelbert said. “But Clara and Joe, the entire Liberty organization, the entire Liberty coaching staff … 2026 Commissioner’s Cup champions. Congratulations.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks after the New York Liberty win the Commissioners Cup Championship against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center.
The boos come amid another period of scrutiny for Engelbert after Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas called on her and the league to take action after Thomas was on the receiving end of death threats and online abuse following her suspension for “recklessly” making contact with Caitlin Clark‘s throat during the Mercury‘s 111-109 win over the Indiana Fever on June 24. Thomas said the league failed to reach out to her about the suspension or in the aftermath of the on-court incident.
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None of this is new for Engelbert, whose voice was overwhelmed by relentless boos by fans as she attempted to congratulate the Aces and crown them the WNBA champions in Phoenix last year.
That time around, Engelbert was embroiled in a flurry of condemnation after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier called her and the WNBA out for having the “worst leadership in the world.” Several WNBA players, including Aces star A’ja Wilson, publicly supported Collier’s comments.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert booed at Commmissioner’s Cup final
