Broadcaster Dan Patrick stated that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert canceled an interview with "The Dan Patrick Show" after the league's public relations team advised against it. Patrick promoted the interview, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, throughout the week.
Engelbert was reportedly in the Lake Tahoe, Nevada area, where the show is recorded, for the American Century Championship golf tournament. According to Patrick, he and his producers waited for nearly two hours for Engelbert, attempting to contact the WNBA multiple times. He characterized the league's response as "feeble" before receiving word that Engelbert would not proceed with the interview.
"Did you check with PR before you said yes to us?" Patrick questioned, relaying the league's directive. He suggested that for the WNBA to be taken seriously, its commissioner must be prepared to engage in challenging situations. Patrick admitted he intended to ask difficult questions but maintained they would have been fair.
"I thought this was going to be a good thing for the WNBA because people still want answers here," Patrick said. "There’s so many people who have an opinion, agendas here, and this was a chance to sit down. And yes, would the questions be tough? Yes, yes. And I’m sure that had something to do with [Engelbert canceling]… So, it’s just disappointing."
Patrick believes Engelbert's decision to withdraw from the interview ultimately does a disservice to the WNBA. The commissioner's cancellation comes amid ongoing discussion about an incident between Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on June 24. During a play, Thomas landed on Clark's neck and then stepped over her. No foul was called on the play.
Thomas has stated she received death threats following the incident, and according to her, Engelbert did not reach out. ESPN has reported that the two exchanged text messages after the play. A group of Republican lawmakers recently sent a letter to Engelbert expressing concern over what they described as "repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence" directed toward Clark.