As the WNBA races through a landmark free agency period, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is already looking beyond North America.

Speaking before Monday’s draft, Engelbert said the league is targeting its first game overseas in 2027, either as an exhibition or regular-season fixture. The WNBA expanded to Toronto this season, its first franchise outside the United States.

“We’re heavily looking at that,” Engelbert said. “Obviously this year we have the FIBA World Cup. Next year we expect that we’ll do something outside of North America as a true global game.”

The league welcomed its 2026 draft class days after a historic free agency window opened, featuring its first million-dollar contracts.

“I’m pretty emotional seeing 23 million-dollar contracts signed only two days into free agency,” Engelbert said. “Now these players can build real generational wealth.”

Engelbert brushed aside questions about her future.

“I do crack up, everyone’s focused on me and you should be focused on the hundreds and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself,” she said.

“I wonder if you would ask that of a man?”

She added she was “thrilled with the trajectory, growth and was really looking forward to the next few years.”

The Board of Governors is yet to approve the proposed sale of the Connecticut Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. Engelbert said details around a potential move to Houston would be addressed later.

The league is also finalising its new collective bargaining agreement, estimated at 400-500 pages, featuring record salary increases, housing benefits, 401(k) contributions and support for former players.

A state-of-the-game task force has also been set up, including a focus on officiating.

“You’ll see some changes around physicality this year,” she said.

Training camps open Sunday, with the season tipping off May 8.

Published on Apr 15, 2026