Stephen A. Smith has never been shy about delivering bold, unfiltered opinions, and his latest comments about the WNBA have ignited another firestorm of conversation.

On First Take, Smith stunned fans and analysts alike by directly calling for WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to resign, citing what he described as “consistent failures in leadership” and a growing divide between players and the league office. His remarks didn’t just touch the surface — they cut deep into the issues that have been bubbling under for months.

Smith began by pointing out the string of controversies that have surrounded Engelbert’s tenure, ranging from player dissatisfaction to inconsistent officiating, poor scheduling, and what he labeled “tone-deaf handling” of the league’s biggest stars, including Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier.

He argued that these problems have created a credibility crisis for the WNBA at the exact moment when the league is supposed to be capitalizing on unprecedented popularity and visibility. “You can’t have your players calling you out in press conferences, on social media, and in interviews every week,” Smith said passionately. “That’s not leadership — that’s dysfunction. And it starts at the top.”

What made his comments especially explosive was the timing. The WNBA is currently in the middle of a high-stakes playoff race, with fan engagement at record highs thanks to young stars like Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, along with veterans like A’ja Wilson

Yet, instead of the headlines being about the games themselves, much of the discourse has shifted toward whether Engelbert has lost the trust of her players. Smith seized on that narrative, arguing that Engelbert’s continued leadership might be holding the league back rather than pushing it forward.

“Look,” he continued, “this league is more popular than it’s ever been. But if your own athletes are saying you don’t listen to them, if they’re saying you’re neglectful, if they’re saying you’re disrespecting them — you got a problem. At some point, the commissioner has to be accountable. And if she can’t fix it, maybe it’s time for someone else to try.”

The reaction online was immediate and divided. Supporters of Smith praised him for amplifying what many players have already been hinting at — that Engelbert’s relationship with the locker rooms across the league is fractured beyond repair.

Fans pointed to Napheesa Collier’s fiery press conference in which she accused the WNBA of “the worst leadership in the world” as evidence that the commissioner’s job is indeed on the hot seat. Others brought up instances of Engelbert being accused of favoritism, especially in the handling of Caitlin Clark, which many players felt was mishandled either by putting too much on her shoulders or failing to protect her from unfair criticism.

However, not everyone agreed with Smith. Critics argued that Engelbert has also been the commissioner responsible for some of the league’s biggest growth moments — including increased sponsorships, higher attendance, and more national media coverage than ever before. They say removing her now could risk destabilizing momentum at a time when women’s basketball is finally breaking through to mainstream sports culture.

Still, Smith doubled down, making it clear that in his eyes, leadership isn’t just about money and exposure. It’s about trust, respect, and accountability. “You can have the biggest deals in the world, but if the people you’re supposed to be leading don’t believe in you, it means nothing,” he concluded. “That’s why I’m saying it: Cathy Engelbert should resign. Period.”

The fallout from Smith’s comments will undoubtedly ripple across the WNBA in the coming days. Already, fans are speculating how current and former players will respond, and whether other media voices will echo or push back against his call.

What’s certain is that the issue of Engelbert’s leadership is not going away — and with national personalities like Stephen A. Smith now weighing in, the pressure on the commissioner has reached a whole new level.