WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert drew widespread criticism and online mockery for a demonstrably poor golf shot taken during the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. The incident occurred last week as Engelbert reportedly avoided a scheduled interview on 'The Dan Patrick Show,' fueling fan frustration.
Dan Patrick expressed his disappointment on air, noting Engelbert's presence at the tournament while backing out of his show. "50 yards away, she's hitting practice shots out of the bunker," Patrick stated. Cameras captured Engelbert taking a shot from a practice bunker that was notably shanked, flying wide to the right.
Video footage of the errant golf shot quickly gained traction on social media, with users criticizing Engelbert's golfing skills and her handling of media engagements. Comments on X ranged from calling her swing "atrocious" to suggesting she should "immediately withdraw" if she had made such a shot. One user wryly remarked, "Clearly she needs the practice," while another commented, "Sucks at golf and her job."
Patrick had promoted Engelbert's appearance on his show for the preceding week, with the interview slated for last Thursday. However, according to Patrick, the WNBA's public relations team advised against the appearance. He stated that he and his producers waited for nearly two hours and received a "feeble" response before being informed of the commissioner's decision.
"They would prefer that she did not do [the interview]," Patrick said, relaying the WNBA PR team's stance. He argued that for the WNBA to be taken seriously as a professional league, its commissioner should be prepared to address challenging questions on fair platforms.
Patrick indicated he was prepared to ask difficult questions but emphasized they would be fair and appropriate for the commissioner to answer. He believed the interview would have been beneficial for the WNBA, offering a chance to address public opinions and agendas directly. The cancellation, he suggested, likely stemmed from the expectation of tough questions, particularly concerning the ongoing fallout from recent events involving player Caitlin Clark.
Engelbert's canceled interview and subsequent golf shot incident have drawn attention amidst ongoing discussions about the WNBA's public image and media relations.