WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is catching some serious heat after completely ducking an interview on the Dan Patrick Show last week. This isn't just another small controversy, it's a huge blow to her credibility and it just piles on to years of criticism from analysts and fans who feel like she hasn't done enough to protect or even promote the league's biggest star, Caitlin Clark.
Dan Patrick Called Her Out, and He's Not Wrong
Engelbert was set to sit down with Dan Patrick while she was at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. The interview was promoted, people were expecting it, and then poof, she just decided to avoid it altogether. You can bet Patrick wasn't happy, and he didn't hold back. He said, "If you want to be treated as a serious league, this is what happens! These are tough questions, but this is a fair outlet for you , a fair platform. I will treat you with respect." Honestly, he's right. If you want respect, you show up and answer the tough questions. It's that simple. Patrick planned to ask about a bunch of topics, including Clark, which makes total sense given all the criticism Engelbert's faced about how she's handled the league's most popular player.Her Own PR Team Said "No"? Seriously?
Here's where it gets even crazier. Patrick revealed the real reason Engelbert bailed: the league's own public relations people apparently told her *not* to do it. Let that sink in for a second. Patrick explained, "We waited and we waited and we waited. And then we got word… that the commissioner said that the WNBA staff, the PR staff, said that she is not allowed to do this. They would prefer that she did not do this." So, the head of the league couldn't decide for herself? Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a big Clark supporter and an even bigger Engelbert critic, absolutely lit her up for this. He asked, "You’re the commissioner of the WNBA… what do you mean your PR people won’t let you go on? It’s your decision. You’re their boss… she’s a total coward." It's hard to argue with Portnoy here. The commissioner is supposed to call the shots, not hide behind her staff. This whole situation just looks ridiculous. Engelbert has a responsibility to answer for her league, especially about its biggest star. Ducking an interview because your PR team is worried it "wouldn't have ended well" just confirms what a lot of us have been thinking since Clark joined the WNBA: Engelbert is not the right person for this job. This latest move is just another example of leadership that frankly, isn't leading. The league deserves a commissioner who is willing to step up, face the music, and champion its growth, not one who dodges accountability when the questions get tough.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.