Carmelo Anthony stated that the next WNBA commissioner must prioritize player safety and investment, declaring, "Protect the players." The former NBA star made the comments during an interview with OutKick, noting that while he is not a candidate for the position, he believes protecting the athletes is the first order of business for the league's new leadership.
The WNBA is preparing to select a new commissioner as Cathy Engelbert retires at the end of the 2026 calendar year. The selection process will be led by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the WNBA Board of Governors. Anthony described the league as a partnership rather than a top-down hierarchy, emphasizing the need for a collaborative environment where management listens to players' concerns about their comfort and direction.
Anthony argued that the organization must focus its resources on the athletes because they are the central element of the product. Without strong talent, he explained, the league has no story to tell and no entertainment value to offer fans.
The league enters its 30th season with significant growth metrics despite ongoing controversies. This season, national broadcasts reached over 91 million unique viewers, more than double the prior season's reach. Total attendance stood at 3.8 million fans across 212 sellouts, with average attendance rising to 11,474 fans per game, a 21% increase from the previous WNBA high.
However, the league faces disputes over transgender athlete eligibility and national anthem protests. Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham publicly opposed biological men competing in women's sports, sparking a debate that extended to Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White. Both former NBA players declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, citing league rules. Although the collective bargaining agreement states that only players who are women are eligible, Engelbert and the league have not provided a detailed definition of a woman, which Freedom and White argue leaves room for interpretation.
Tensions have spilled onto the court. Freedom was ejected from a Chicago Sky-Fever game after confronting Natasha Cloud at his baseline seat. Additionally, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined by the league after using expletives toward two teenage fans supporting Cunningham during a game.
In the WNBA Finals, the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream repeatedly walked off the court before the national anthem. This action drew criticism for deviating from the league's traditional expectation that teams stand in a dignified line to listen to the Star-Spangled Banner.
Anthony expressed optimism about the league's trajectory, citing the rise in skill level and fundamentals. He noted that women in the WNBA rely heavily on skill as opposed to athleticism, creating a distinct level of play that he finds compelling to watch.
Outside of his commentary on the WNBA, Anthony discussed his partnership with DraftKings. He highlighted a campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas, noting that DraftKings is now available in all 50 states. The promotional material depicts Hart and Jonas traveling across the country dealing with car troubles while Anthony waits with his own vehicle issues to promote the platform.