Engelbert believes the WNBA has never been better, adding that it currently has a "coolness factor"GETTY IMAGES
Newly appointed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said her first order of business when she officially takes office July 17 will be to address the CBA and drive it to a "sustainable economic model." Engelbert believes the league needs to focus on "revenue and the economics, its player experience and fan experience," which she acknowledged are all part of ongoing CBA talks as the league and players are "not waiting" on her to take office. Engelbert said the WNBA needs a game experience that will get "more fans in the seats" and make them "want to come back." Engelbert believes the WNBA has "never been better," and there is a "coolness factor right now." She noted there have recently been "some NBA players attending" WNBA games. Engelbert: "The commitment from everyone I’ve met at the NBA in the ecosystem -- the players, the owners, the fans -- it really is about putting fans in the seats, but it's also about the fan experience, the player experience" (“We Need to Talk,” CBSSN, 6/18).
BIGGER THE BETTER: Next month's AT&T WNBA All-Star Game festivities in Las Vegas will officially begin with WNBA All-Star Friday Night on July 26, which will include a 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge. The two most recent WNBA All-Star Games have included a 3-Point Contest at halftime, but this marks the first time the event and Skills Challenge will be paired together at WNBA All-Star since '06. Friday night's events will be preceded by a Fan Fest from 11:00am-5:00pm PT (WNBA).
