WNBA Commissioner: “NO MORE WNBA” After Saudi League Takeover (It’s Over)
In a shocking announcement that has rocked the sports world, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly declared that the league as we know it may be coming to an end following what insiders are calling a “hostile takeover” by the Saudi Women’s Basketball League. Sources say the announcement was made during a private league meeting, and the repercussions could reshape professional women’s basketball globally.
According to multiple insiders, Engelbert described the situation as “untenable,” citing massive financial investments from Saudi backers that are drawing away top talent and sponsorship dollars. The move reportedly includes lucrative contracts and incentives that many WNBA stars are finding impossible to refuse. “The league cannot compete with the money and resources being offered overseas,” Engelbert allegedly told league executives.
Reports suggest that several high-profile players, including Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, have already received offers from the Saudi league, with packages far exceeding current WNBA contracts. Analysts estimate that some deals could reach seven figures annually, including housing, travel perks, and endorsement opportunities, effectively turning the Saudi league into a global powerhouse virtually overnight.
The announcement has ignited chaos among team owners, players, and fans. Some teams fear they may lose entire rosters if players choose to move overseas. Others worry about the long-term survival of the league, which has relied heavily on domestic television contracts and sponsorships that could now dwindle under the pressure of international competition.
Cathy Engelbert, while blunt about the financial realities, reportedly also expressed frustration at the lack of structural support for the WNBA. “We’ve fought for equity, exposure, and respect for decades,” she allegedly said. “But the resources aren’t here. The talent is leaving. And without major intervention, the league in its current form cannot continue.”
The Saudi Women’s Basketball League, meanwhile, has remained mostly silent publicly, though sources indicate they are aggressively courting WNBA talent and promoting a vision of a global women’s basketball league backed by billion-dollar investments. Industry insiders suggest that this could be the first step in transforming professional women’s basketball into a truly international enterprise — but one that comes at the expense of the WNBA’s domestic dominance.
Fan reaction has been intense. Social media erupted with shock, disappointment, and disbelief, with hashtags like #SaveTheWNBA trending. Many expressed fear that decades of progress for women’s sports in the U.S. could be undermined if the league folds or loses its top stars.
Legal and financial analysts are now speculating about possible countermeasures, including emergency league restructuring, new investment deals, or government support to protect the league. However, with contracts already in motion and overseas offers on the table, the window to act appears narrow.
While Engelbert’s statement may sound like the WNBA’s “end,” insiders caution that this could also mark a dramatic turning point — one that forces the league to reinvent itself, seek new global partnerships, or even merge with international leagues to survive.
For now, the WNBA faces unprecedented uncertainty. One thing is clear: the landscape of women’s professional basketball is shifting faster than ever, and the league that once dominated may soon be fighting just to exist.
