inside the liberty Cathy Engelbert said WNBA players were ‘emotional’ about housing — the Liberty explain why it’s important By Madeline Kenney Published May 1, 2026, 9:32 a.m. ET WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the press during the WNBA draft on April 13, 2026. Getty Images Earlier this month, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was surprised at how “emotional” an issue team-provided housing was for WNBA players during collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
But some Liberty players suggested Engelbert’s comment was short-sighted and the issue of team housing is not inconsequential.
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“I think there are little things that maybe the average person doesn’t think about where, like, you have to get furniture,” said guard Rebekah Gardner, who signed a one-year minimum contract worth $277,500 with the Liberty. “There’s just so many little things. And when we were playing basketball, that’s just extra stuff we would have to focus on.”
Forward Rebecca Allen was a staunch supporter of securing team housing, especially as a player with an Australian passport.
