WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sparked outrage across the nation when she cancelled a scheduled appearance on the Dan Patrick Show in the wake of Republican members of the U.S. Congress penning a letter calling on her to take action to protect Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark, after she suffered a strike to the throat area by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas.
“We waited, and we waited, and we waited, and then Todd got word that the commissioner said the WNBA PR staff said she is not allowed to do this. You’re the commissioner, and you’re listening to the PR department, which is fine, but did you check with PR before you said yes to us?
“We promoted it all day yesterday. Look, I know people get busy, people have agendas. It was her opportunity to finally say, ‘You can ask me the tough questions.’ I thought this was going to be a good thing for the WNBA. Because people still want answers here. There’s so many people who have an opinion, agendas…and yes, would the questions be tough? Yes. Yes. And I’m sure that had something to do with it.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took to X to call out the commissioner.
On Monday, he followed up those criticisms on Wake Up Barstool.
“You’re the commissioner of the WNBA. What do you mean your PR people won’t let you go on? It’s your decision. You’re their boss; of course you can overrule. So, that’s a total lie, total cop-out; she’s a total coward, and she has mismanaged this league from the word go the second Caitlin Clark got in here.” Portnoy said.
.@stoolpresidente reacts to Cathy Engelbert canceling her appearance on Dan Patrick
“You’re the commissioner of the WNBA… what do you mean your PR people won’t let you go on? It’s your decision. You’re their boss… she’s a total coward.” https://t.co/KdVRTn6u4h pic.twitter.com/a2sdjPoGs0
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) July 13, 2026
Portnoy has never been shy to call out the WNBA for what he feels is the mismanagement of he feels is its prize jewel, Caitlin Clark. It’s clear that he doesn’t plan on changing that anytime soon.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.