Second WNBA Star Targets Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Amid Frustration

With the WNBA adding a 13th franchise this season in the Golden State Valkyries, the league also expanded the schedule to 44 games from 40. Many might think that would give players more time to recover between matchups, but that’s not the case. The length of the season wasn’t extended, so there’s actually less time between games than before.

It's only been three weeks since the 2025 WNBA season tipped off, but players have already vocalized their frustration over it, targeting commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Following Saturday night's Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm game, Mercury star Satou Sabally said adding games was irresponsible for a commissioner.

“Cathy [Engelbert] added a lot of games," Sabally said. "And us as players, recovery is so important. We put our bodies on the line every single time. We had nine games in 18 days. It’s not really responsible for a commissioner.”

Sabally wasn’t the only player to call out Engelbert. On Monday, New York Liberty star Natasha Cloud did as well. Cloud isn’t asking for more games. She's simply requesting the schedule to be more spread out.

"Girl, Cathy [Engelbert] needs to extend the season…if you want the best product on the floor, we need proper time to rest and recover," Cloud said.

Cloud didn't stop there. She also touched on what outsiders have said about her comments.

"People are like, ‘You play basketball for a living,’ and I get it," Cloud added. "But I just want to play basketball to the best of my ability."