WNBA Offseason: New Commissioner Search, Coaching Changes, and Draft Lottery Set for November
The league faces leadership changes in Indiana and New York while deciding on its next commissioner and preparing for the 2027 draft.
By Alina Campbell ·
The WNBA enters a quieter offseason following a period of major expansion, but key personnel decisions are still pending for several franchises. The first major event on the calendar is the 2027 WNBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for November 15, which will determine the order of selection for the upcoming draft.
Cathy Engelbert, the league’s first commissioner, announced in September that she will retire at the end of 2026 after seven years in the role. The league has not named her successor, and no timeline has been established for that announcement. Internal and external candidates are being considered, including WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin and NBA deputy commissioner Marc Tatum. Team executives Keia Clarke and Jess Smith, along with former player Swin Cash and Nike executive Tanya Hvizdak, have also been mentioned in reports from ESPN.
The Indiana Fever are in the process of restructuring their front office. President Kelly Krauskopf stepped down last month, and general manager Amber Cox was fired. Mel Raines, president and CEO of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, will now oversee the team's business operations. The Fever hired Excel Search & Advisory to find a new general manager. That firm is owned by Excel Sports Management, which represents star player Caitlin Clark. The new general manager will need to negotiate an extension for Clark and re-sign guard Kelsey Mitchell, who indicated she is considering other options during her exit interview.
In New York, the Liberty confirmed on Tuesday that they have fired head coach Chris DeMarco. DeMarco replaced Sandy Brondello last season and led the team to a 43-35 record over the past two years before their playoff exits. The Liberty have not yet announced a replacement coach. General manager Jonathan Kolb noted that the team needs to make a bold decision to support their roster, which includes Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, all of whom are under contract through 2028.
The Los Angeles Sparks are also searching for a head coach. They fired Lynne Roberts last season and have not hired a replacement. General manager Ariana Andonian said the organization is taking its time to find a leader who can develop young talent. The Sparks have had four coaches in the last five seasons and have not made the playoffs since 2020. They will begin a rebuild around center Cameron Brink and their upcoming draft picks.
The Houston Comets, formerly the Connecticut Sun, are preparing for their first season in Texas. The franchise relocated for the 2027 season, marking the first move since the San Antonio Stars became the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Team president Jennifer Rizzotti, general manager Morgan Tuck, and head coach Rachid Meziane will remain with the organization. The Comets finished the 2026 season with a 11-33 record, giving them the best odds in the upcoming draft lottery alongside the Toronto Tempo.
JuJu Watkins of USC is the projected top pick in the 2027 draft. The 6-foot-2 forward missed the previous season due to a torn ACL and is eligible to return to school for the 2027-28 season. Watkins told CBS Sports she has not yet decided whether to declare for the draft. The league uses two-year aggregate records to determine lottery odds, but expansion teams are judged only on their 2026 performance.
