​Dave Portnoy blasted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for reportedly ducking a national radio interview at the last minute, calling it an “absolute coward move.” In a Saturday post on X, Portnoy reacted to Engelbert’s alleged cancellation of a scheduled appearance on Dan Patrick’s show, a day after she reportedly told Patrick’s team not to proceed with the interview.
Engelbert reportedly told Patrick that the WNBA’s public relations staff advised her not to participate in the sit-down, which sparked Portnoy to voice strong objections. “This is one of my biggest pet peeves in the world. When people like Cathy Engelbert say they can’t do something their agent or PR said so. THEY WORK FOR YOU,” Portnoy wrote. “Absolute coward move. Anyway this is just yet another example of what [a] clown show the WNBA is. Worst run league in the world.” His outspoken post also included a clip of Patrick describing the canceled interview.
Patrick had said Engelbert had agreed to appear on his program, but her crew waited for two hours in a Lake Tahoe hotel before learning the interview would not be taking place. “We waited and we waited and we waited,” Patrick recounted. “And then we got word… that the commissioner said that the WNBA staff, the PR staff, said that she is now allowed to do this. They would prefer that she not do this.” Patrick had intended to ask Engelbert tough yet fair questions about Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s expansion plans, and other timely topics.
The league has faced scrutiny following a recent on-court incident in which Clark was struck in the throat during a game, an event that intensified criticism of how the WNBA promotes its star players. Patrick also played a clip showing Engelbert casually swinging a golf club at a Lake Tahoe celebrity tournament, highlighting what he described as her reluctance to engage with the interview.
Portnoy has repeatedly criticized the WNBA’s marketing and public relations decisions, particularly regarding Caitlin Clark. He previously called out the league for omitting Clark from a game promo posted on the WNBA’s official accounts, expressing disbelief at the apparent snub. “Caitlin Clark is the face of your league, and she’s not on the [promo] from the WNBA account,” Portnoy said in May. “That is so intentional by whoever did that on the WNBA whose running their account. You have to fire them. You’re openly saying ‘We hate Caitlin Clark, we hate our fans, we don’t want you.’” He echoed similar criticisms last month, claiming no league had been advertised more poorly or operated more incompetently than the WNBA.
The exchange has fueled ongoing debate over how the WNBA promotes its players and manages public relations, with fans and commentators weighing in on the appropriateness of Engelbert’s reported decision and the league’s marketing strategy. The broader controversy continues to center on how the league communicates with media and fans, and how it handles high-profile players like Caitlin Clark in promotional efforts and media appearances.
This summary draws on Portnoy’s social media posts, Patrick’s recollections from his show, and related coverage of the incident, including reactions to the WNBA’s handling of media opportunities and Clark’s visibility in league promotions. The original report detailing Portnoy’s statements and the events surrounding Engelbert’s interview cancellation first appeared on Mediaite.