Candace Parker just exposed WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert in a brutally honest podcast segment, and fans believe this could officially end Engelbert’s career.
The drama inside the WNBA just went nuclear.
Candace Parker — yes, that Candace Parker — might have just delivered the knockout blow to WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert’s tenure.
And the craziest part? She didn’t even sound angry. She just told the truth.
Let’s be honest here — this league has been bubbling with tension for months. From Napheesa Collier’s public frustration to Cathy Engelbert’s cold, corporate communication style, it’s been one headline after another. But what Candace Parker said on her Post Moves podcast wasn’t just a critique — it was a mirror held up to Engelbert’s face.
Candace Parker vs. Kathy Engelbert — The Cold Truth
Candace sat down with A’ja Wilson and Aaliyah Boston on her show and peeled back the curtain. She compared Adam Silver — the NBA Commissioner — to Engelbert. And the contrast couldn’t have been more brutal.
Candace explained that Silver texts her when she signs new deals, congratulates her on milestones, even sends baby gifts and Christmas presents. Let that sink in — baby gifts.
When she retired? Adam Silver texted her personally to say thank you for everything she’d done for the women’s game.
Now, what did Kathy Engelbert do?
Nothing.
Not a text. Not a call. Not even a formal note.
Parker said the only time she heard a word from Engelbert was four months after she retired, when they bumped into each other at the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Engelbert said, “Congratulations,” and that was it.
That’s not leadership — that’s detachment.
Even the Stars Feel Ignored
Candace wasn’t the only one. Sabrina Ionescu and Elena Delle Donne have both alluded to the same thing — that Adam Silver has a better relationship with WNBA players than their own commissioner.
And that’s not a small thing. The WNBA only has 144 players. Maintaining relationships with your top 20% of stars shouldn’t be difficult. But according to Candace, Engelbert has been distant, disconnected, and honestly — out of touch with what her league needs.
Even worse, fans are starting to feel the same thing. Engelbert’s public presence has been robotic at best and defensive at worst. She’s failed to connect with players, media, and even the audience that keeps the league running.
Leadership Starts at the Top
Candace said it perfectly: “It starts with leadership. I’m always a believer in alignment.”
That’s the issue here. When your commissioner doesn’t seem to value personal relationships — when she can’t even send a congratulatory text — it reflects a deeper problem.
Adam Silver gets it. He learned from David Stern, arguably the greatest sports commissioner of all time. Stern understood his stars — Magic, Bird, Jordan — drove the league forward.
Kathy Engelbert? She seems to think she’s above that. And that’s exactly why the WNBA is slipping into an identity crisis.
The Caitlin Clark Factor
There’s also an elephant in the room — Caitlin Clark.
Candace didn’t mention her directly, but fans connected the dots immediately. Adam Silver openly praises Caitlin every chance he gets. He understands her value — she’s the engine that’s brought new fans, new sponsors, and new eyeballs to women’s basketball.
Engelbert? Barely acknowledges her.
And that’s where everything falls apart. The commissioner’s supposed to amplify her stars, not compete with them for relevance. When even retired legends like Candace Parker feel ignored — and rookies like Caitlin Clark feel unsupported — something is fundamentally broken.
Adam Silver Is Quietly Running the Show
Let’s be real. It sounds like the WNBA players want to deal with Adam Silver now. And who could blame them? He’s shown more empathy, communication, and respect toward the women’s side than Engelbert ever has.
Even NBA fans are noticing it. Silver is slowly becoming the shadow leader of the WNBA — the guy everyone looks to when things fall apart.
When Candace said “Adam Silver understands the process,” she wasn’t just complimenting him. She was warning Engelbert. If your players trust your boss more than they trust you, your job is already halfway gone.
The Beginning of the End for Engelbert?
This could be the final straw.
The Candace Parker comments have gone viral across social media. Fans are calling for Engelbert to step down, and players are reportedly frustrated behind the scenes. Even media outlets are hinting that NBA leadership might need to “step in” to handle future CBA negotiations.
Because how do you negotiate with a commissioner that your players don’t even respect anymore?
Candace didn’t scream. She didn’t rant. She just laid out the truth. And that truth was enough to destroy Engelbert’s credibility in less than ten minutes.
Final Thoughts
Two things can be true:
- Napheesa Collier might not have been the perfect messenger.
- But Candace Parker? She’s bulletproof.
When a respected legend starts questioning your leadership, you’re officially out of time.
Engelbert’s lack of connection isn’t just a PR problem — it’s a trust problem. And without trust, this league doesn’t grow.
Right now, the WNBA feels like it’s running on autopilot — and Candace Parker might have just pulled the emergency brake.
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