The WNBA Finals ended in triumph for the Las Vegas Aces but the league’s commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, faced a very different reception as she stepped onto the court to present the championship trophy.
The Aces secured their third WNBA title in four years on Friday, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in front of a capacity crowd at the Mortgage Matchup Center. The celebration, however, quickly turned tense.
That was when Engelbert appeared for the postgame ceremony as fans responded with loud, sustained boos, a reaction that reflected the growing tension between players, fans, and league leadership.
The situation escalated further when one spectator made an obscene gesture toward Engelbert during the broadcast. ESPN‘s production team acted swiftly, blurring the fan’s image to prevent the moment from airing nationwide.
Yet social media photos captured from the event revealed what had happened, confirming that the gesture was clearly directed at the commissioner.
The fan appeared aware of the camera and even adjusted position to remain visible through the blur, turning what was meant to be a routine celebration into a viral talking point.
The moment underscored how public sentiment toward Engelbert has soured in recent weeks, particularly as the league’s collective bargaining agreement deadline looms and pressure continues to grow on the WNBA boss.
The current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of October, and negotiations for a new deal have reportedly stalled as players have expressed frustration with the proposed terms, especially regarding salary structures and revenue-sharing models.
That even led to the Minnesota Lynx‘s forward Napheesa Collier, one of the WNBPA‘s vice presidents, to publicly speak about wanting a more transparent pay system tied to league growth.
Matters worsened when Collier claimed Engelbert had suggested Caitlin Clark should feel “grateful” for the platform and financial success the WNBA provided her, although Engelbert denied making that remark.
But the controversy fueled public criticism and amplified a perception of disconnect between players and leadership.
Still, ESPN‘s decision to obscure the inappropriate gesture may have prevented what could have been a far more damaging broadcast moment for both Engelbert and the league.
A’ja Wilson’s curious reaction to Engelbert being booed
When Engelbert took the microphone to present the championship trophy to the Aces and Finals MVP A’ja Wilson, boos echoed throughout the arena as the crowd’s disapproval was unrelenting.
The noise continued growing louder as Engelbert announced each portion of the ceremony.
The commissioner appeared composed but hurried through her remarks, delivering the trophy to Aces owner Mark Davis before introducing Wilson.
The reigning WNBA MVP, whose 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals capped a dominant performance and saw her land the MVP honors, seemed unfazed by the hostility, smiled and playfully responded with an exaggerated “woo”.
Her teammates erupted in cheers, turning the mood back toward celebration. But the episode, though brief, reflected the underlying strain surrounding the WNBA‘s most significant offseason challenge.
As players such as Wilson, Collier, Clark, Breanna Stewart, and Angel Reese push for better pay and working conditions, Engelbert finds herself at the center of a high-stakes labor battle that could define the league’s next chapter.
With the CBA deadline approaching and a possible lockout looming, Engelbert‘s leadership faces increasing scrutiny.
ESPN‘s timely intervention may have shielded her from one embarrassing moment, but the public and player discontent will be much harder to edit out.
Read the full article here
