Cathy Engelbert did not receive a warm welcome in Phoenix on Friday night.

The WNBA commissioner hit the court to deliver the Finals trophy to the Las Vegas Aces, but she was promptly met with boos.

According to witnesses, the boos weren’t coming from isolated hecklers — large portions of the crowd joined in, particularly from the upper sections where some fans held up signs criticizing league leadership.

One sign read, “Respect Our Stars,” while another declared, “Stop Silencing Players.” The atmosphere was charged with both celebration and protest, reflecting the complicated relationship between the WNBA’s passionate fanbase and its governing body.

This isn’t the first time Engelbert has faced public scrutiny, but the intensity of Saturday night’s reaction marked a new low in terms of optics.

The commissioner has been under fire in recent months over a series of controversies — including alleged comments regarding Caitlin Clark, debates over player treatment and marketing priorities, and concerns about transparency in the league’s expansion and revenue-sharing plans.

The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is also set to expire soon, adding to tensions between players, executives, and fans.

When Engelbert handed the trophy to A’ja Wilson, the boos continued, though fans quickly switched to cheers for the Aces star. Wilson, who had just earned Finals MVP honors for the third time in her career, accepted the trophy gracefully but appeared keenly aware of the uncomfortable moment unfolding beside her.

After raising the trophy with her teammates, she leaned toward the mic and tried to redirect the crowd’s energy. “Let’s show love for this team, for this city,” she said, smiling through the tension. “We did this together, Vegas!”

One attendee in the crowd was even spotted giving the middle finger while Engelbert spoke to congratulate the Aces.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the crowd after the Las Vegas Aces won Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center Oct. 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Ariz. The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“Well, we’re here today to celebrate a champion. Thank you to all the fans. Phoenix had a great run to get here, and I just want to congratulate the Aces on a performance, 2025 WNBA champions,” Engelbert said amid continuous boos.

The Aces, despite completing the sweep for their third title in four years, appeared visibly uncomfortable, and Finals MVP A’ja Wilson showed a look of concern.

Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.

Napheesa Collier also claimed Engelbert said that Caitlin Clark “should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because, without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Engelbert’s defenders argue that much of the criticism ignores the progress made under her watch.

Since taking over in 2019, she has overseen expansion efforts, forged record-breaking sponsorship deals, and helped secure the most lucrative broadcasting agreements in the league’s history.

In a statement following the ceremony, a WNBA spokesperson said: “Commissioner Engelbert remains focused on supporting our players and fans as we continue to build on this moment of historic growth.”

Still, the public reaction suggests a widening trust gap. Many fans see the league’s rapid commercial growth as both a blessing and a source of friction — particularly when they feel that authentic voices are being lost in the corporate shuffle.

“The WNBA used to feel like family,” said one longtime Aces fan outside the arena. “Now it feels like a business first and a community second. Tonight wasn’t about hate — it was about being heard.”

By the time Engelbert left the stage, escorted by staff amid the ongoing chants, the image of her strained smile had already become symbolic.

For some, it represented a league leader under siege. For others, it embodied a moment of reckoning — the point where the WNBA’s passionate base demanded something more than polished statements and surface-level promises.

Collier also alleged Engelbert told her, “Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”

“When you have great players, you need to treat them like that, and that’s top to bottom,” Aces point guard Chelsea Gray said after the game.

Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner, hands the MVP award to A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces after they won Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center Oct. 10, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Wilson shared her displeasure with Engelbert earlier this month, saying she was “disgusted” with Engelbert’s comments. Wilson played a tambourine in celebration of Gray’s comments on Friday.

Engelbert denied making the comments about Clark.

“Obviously, I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game,” Engelbert said at a news conference last week.

Clark said the league is in a “moment we have to capitalize on.”

“I think, for me, and I have said this many times, it is all about relationships, and that’s the truth,” Clark said last week. “And I know that’s really hard to say in professional sports

. But whether it’s a relationship with your front office, whether it’s a relationship with the commissioner of the league, whether it’s your relationship with your teammates — that’s the most important thing in leadership.”

Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 15, 2024. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)

The 2025 WNBA Finals trophy ceremony took an unexpected and chaotic turn Saturday night, when Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was loudly booed and flipped off by sections of the crowd during the Las Vegas Aces’ championship celebration.

What was meant to be a triumphant coronation for the league’s first true modern dynasty quickly transformed into a tense, emotional moment that underscored the deep frustrations bubbling beneath the surface of a league on the rise but riddled with controversy.

As Engelbert stepped onto the stage at Michelob Ultra Arena to present the championship trophy to the Aces following their dominant 4–0 sweep of the Phoenix Mercury, a chorus of jeers began echoing through the stands.

Fans could be heard shouting phrases like “Do better!” and “We want real change!” while some raised middle fingers toward the commissioner. Television cameras briefly panned away from the podium, but the audio of boos was unmistakable.

The hostile reception caught even seasoned observers off guard. The Aces players, led by A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum, appeared visibly uncomfortable as Engelbert tried to maintain her composure and deliver her prepared remarks. “What an incredible season for the Las Vegas Aces—” she began, but her voice was nearly drowned out by sustained heckling.

At one point, a chant of “Pay the players!” broke out across a section of the arena, prompting a brief pause in the presentation.

Despite Wilson’s efforts to steer the mood, the discontent didn’t fade completely. Even as confetti fell and the players embraced, lingering chants of “We want change!

” and “Listen to the players!” continued in parts of the arena. Social media exploded almost immediately, with video clips of the booing spreading across platforms like X and Instagram. Within an hour, the hashtag #BooBirdsForCathy was trending nationwide.

Many fans online defended the reaction, calling it a justified expression of frustration with league leadership. “This wasn’t about hating the commissioner — it was about accountability,” one fan wrote. “The fans are tired of being ignored. The players are speaking up, and the fans have their backs.”

Others, however, criticized the jeering as disrespectful, arguing that it overshadowed what should have been a joyous moment for the players. “Booing during a championship ceremony crosses the line,” one viewer posted. “Save the protests for another time — this was about the Aces’ victory.”

Behind the scenes, league officials were reportedly taken aback by the reaction. Sources close to the WNBA’s front office said Engelbert had anticipated some tension but not the level of hostility displayed during the live broadcast.

“They knew the atmosphere was charged,” one insider revealed. “But no one expected it to escalate like that. It sent a message — loud and clear.”

The timing of the backlash couldn’t be worse for the WNBA, which is entering what could be its most transformative period in history. The league is preparing to add two expansion franchises by 2026, negotiate new media rights deals, and finalize details of the upcoming CBA renegotiation. Each of these issues involves difficult financial and political trade-offs — and fans are making it clear they expect more transparency and action than rhetoric.

At the heart of the discontent is a growing perception that the league’s progress isn’t being shared equally among players.

While the WNBA has celebrated record ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales — largely driven by new stars like Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink — many players continue to express frustration over low salaries, travel conditions, and what they see as uneven marketing support.

The viral backlash follows weeks of mounting online debate over Engelbert’s leadership style. Critics accuse her of being overly corporate and reactive rather than proactive.

“Cathy’s done a lot for the league’s visibility, but people are starting to question whether she’s listening,” said one sports business analyst. “The fans and players want a commissioner who leads with emotion and authenticity — not just business metrics.”

As the confetti settled and the Aces basked in their glory, one truth became clear: the WNBA has reached a crossroads. Its fanbase is more energized, vocal, and demanding than ever before. And as Saturday night proved, they’re no longer content to sit quietly in the stands.

What should have been a seamless celebration of excellence instead turned into a defining moment — one that will likely shape the league’s tone heading into 2026.

Whether Cathy Engelbert’s leadership can withstand this growing wave of criticism remains uncertain. But one thing is undeniable: the fans’ message was heard, loud and unfiltered — and the WNBA will have to respond.