12/16/2022
“I would be hugely disappointed if, certainly, in 5 years, we haven’t seen our first female head coach in the NBA.” —NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
This is the sentence that resonated most during my candid conversation with Silver and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert about the state of women’s basketball, 50 years into Title IX, and the expanding role of women in the men’s game. Silver has, traditionally, been a champion of women in leadership positions in the league office... but he was very clear in his position that on the court, the NBA is “a bit behind” other industries, when it comes to “roles men and women play in the workforce.”
Fascinating, as well, to hear how Commissioner Engelbert’s time as the first female CEO of global consulting giant Deloitte is influencing her business approach to growing the WNBA ($75 million capital raise…DONE). From her time as a 2-sport athlete at Lehigh to her vision for taking the league to new heights, this latest edition of NCAA Title IX College Sports Conversations will enlighten and inspire. Link in bio!