The NBA has retained Excel Search & Advisory to identify a successor for WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who announced her retirement at the end of the calendar year, according to sources familiar with the process. The firm, formerly known as Nolan Partners, was chosen after the league reviewed about a dozen candidates, with the agreement finalized roughly a week ago. Engelbert, who has led the WNBA since 2019, will step down at year’s end, marking the first official step in a search process that includes input from WNBA team stakeholders.
NBA Selects Search Firm for WNBA Commissioner Replacement
The NBA’s selection of Excel Search & Advisory follows a review of multiple executive search firms, with the league prioritizing entities with experience in women’s sports and executive recruitment. The firm, which rebranded from Nolan Partners in 2022, has represented athletes across professional leagues, including the WNBA, NFL, and NWSL. A memo to WNBA team presidents and general managers, obtained by The Athletic, outlined the league’s focus on firms with “significant experience” in executive search and “demonstrated commitment to and experience with women’s basketball.” The document emphasized an inclusive process, stating that Excel will engage with WNBA governors in the coming weeks.
Process Details and Stakeholder Involvement
The WNBA’s next competition meeting, scheduled for mid-November, will include team presidents and general managers, though it remains unclear if the gathering will directly address input on the new commissioner. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has highlighted the position’s growing appeal, noting that “calls have been flooding in,” which he attributes to the role’s increasing attractiveness to potential candidates. The search remains in its early stages, with Silver and the WNBA Board of Governors set to make the final decision. Engelbert’s successor will need to face the league’s challenges, including unifying players and ownership, as outlined in Silver’s recent remarks.
“Our goal is to conduct an inclusive search process that involves communicating with you and receiving the input of WNBA teams,” the memo stated, emphasizing the league’s emphasis on collaboration. The NBA’s choice of Excel Search & Advisory signals a structured approach to the transition, with the firm’s portfolio including high-profile athletes and teams across multiple sports leagues.
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