The walls are closing in on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after another damning story just dropped. This time Stacey Dales pulled the rope. The NFL Network reporter and former WNBA All-Star guard shared a brutal account of how the league treated her. Or rather, didn’t treat her.
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Her story surfaced Wednesday amid a firestorm of criticism targeting Engelbert’s leadership. The timing seemed too perfect to be worse for the embattled commissioner.
Stacey Dales Shares Embarrassing Story About Cathy Engelbert
Dales hosted the WNBA’s Toronto expansion announcement a couple of years back. The event was a big deal because Toronto was getting its 14th franchise. The ceremony featured Engelbert, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and other dignitaries.
But here’s the kicker. Dales did it all pro bono, meaning free of cost. In a recent tweet, shewrote, “I hosted a prominent WNBA event a couple of years ago. Welcome to the league, Toronto. The Toronto team intro – it was exceptional. The TO people were amazing. I did it for free.”
Surprisingly, in return, she got nothing; rather, she experienced zero hospitality. “I never once heard from Cathy or the WNBA or the league in general,” she added. “Nothing. Not a single bump on their social media. Frankly, it seemed like she didn’t know I played for the league at all.”
Her silence cut deep. Dales walked away wondering if Engelbert even knew who she was. No thank you, no recognition, and zero acknowledgment. “I have never heard from the league since I left the game,” she added.
I hosted a prominent WNBA event a couple of years ago. Welcome to the league, Toronto. The Toronto team intro — it was exceptional. The TO people were amazing. I did it for free.
I never once heard from Cathy or the WNBA or league in general. Nothing. Not a single bump on their…
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) October 1, 2025
In contrast, she sounded quite impressed with the NFL’s hospitality. Dales said, “The NFL treats me so kindly. Not like this.”
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Quite frankly, it’s another black eye for Engelbert. The commissioner can’t seem to build bridges with the people who built her league. And Dales isn’t the only one speaking up against the court queen.
Napheesa Collier Drops Bombshells About Commissioner’s Leadership
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier torched WNBA leadership in her exit interview on Tuesday. She didn’t hold back. Collier accused Engelbert of being “negligent” in her governance.
Before taking reporter questions, she made a jaw-dropping comment aimed at the WNBA commissioner. “We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Colliersaid.
Napheesa Collier’s full statement today, where she challenged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA with directness and stunning detail we rarely hear from active players. Worth listening to every word. pic.twitter.com/IRTvTc52EA
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 30, 2025
It all started this past February when she asked Engelbert about officiating issues. The commissioner’s response? “Well, only the losers complain about the refs.”
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Now, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith also called for Engelbert’s resignation on Wednesday. It’s clear her role as commissioner is under pressure and things aren’t looking safe for her.