WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says league ready to capitalize on momentum: 'Our phones are ringing off the hook'

The WNBA stands on the precipice of a mainstream explosion — but the league must still get broadcast and other investment deals in place to build a stable financial foundation, according to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

The WNBA stands on the precipice of a mainstream explosion — but the league must still get broadcast and other investment deals in place to build a stable financial foundation, according to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

In an interview with “NBC Nightly News" Sunday anchor Hallie Jackson, Engelbert said the league is working to capitalize on the rising interest in the women's game. But it will take outside commitments to make it happen, she said.

"We need the ecosystem, essentially, the sports ecosystem to step up," Engelbert said. "And I feel really good that that’s going to happen with our next media rights negotiation, as well as our corporate partners. Our phones are ringing off the hook."

Viewership for women's college basketball soared to all-time highs this year on the back of Caitlin Clark, the Iowa phenom who last season broke the all-time NCAA basketball scoring record held for 50 years by Pete Maravich.

But after Clark was selected No. 1 overall in the draft by the Indiana Fever, the league was criticized because she will make a base salary of just $76,535 as a rookie.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-rcna151516

---