Dan Patrick Rips WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert For 'Disrespectful' Move
Legendary radio host Dan Patrick didn't hold back on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert during Friday's nationally-televised show.
Patrick was supposed to have Engelbert on his radio show this week to discuss a plethora of hot topics in the WNBA world. He waited for two hours, and yet, Engelbert never showed up for this interview. Apparently, she was advised by the WNBA's public relations staff to skip this media opportunity.
"The WNBA PR staff said they would prefer if she does not do this. You're the commissioner and you're listening to the PR department? Did you check with PR before you said yes to us? I know people get busy and people have agendas. This was her opportunity to finally say, 'Hey, you can ask me the tough questions.' I thought this was going to be a good thing for the WNBA," Patrick said. "Would the answers be tough? Yes, and I'm sure that had something to do with it."
Patrick wasn't done criticizing Engelbert's absence.
"We're just trying to be a journalist and ask questions, that's all," Patrick continued. "If you want to be treated as a serious league, this is what happens. These are tough questions, but this is a fair outlet for you - a fair platform. I will treat you with respect."
The pressure is on Engelbert.
Though it's not really a huge surprise, WNBA fans are siding with Patrick in this situation.
"This is eminently fair by Patrick. And the reason it's fair - and just speaking for me - is that this show has a history of treating guests and listeners like adults," Richard Deitsch said. "It's a sports radio show that has shown journalistic intent and query over a long period of time. I'm sure the league wants the ASG to be the first public Q&A for Cathy Engelbert after a long stretch. Understandable. But this is a forum that would be fair and doesn't have a history of performative WNBA takes. You could have used it as a test run for the ASG."
"Absolutely disrespectful move by the WNBA," one fan said. "Dan Patrick is one of the best in the business."
"Cathy Engelbert is a coward & not fit to lead imo," a second fan wrote.
"Cathy Englebert should not be the commissioner of this league. She is not ready for the moment," another fan declared.
Englebert has been the WNBA's commissioner since 2019. Although a change to leadership isn't imminent at this time, stunts like this will just make the negative noise surrounding her even louder.
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 10:00 PM.