BREAKING: WNBA Commissioner Reportedly Says “No More WNBA” After Shock Saudi League Takeover — Fans in Disbelief

In what could be one of the most stunning developments in professional sports history, reports are circulating that the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is facing an unprecedented upheaval after a Saudi-backed consortium allegedly completed a major takeover deal involving several franchises — prompting WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to reportedly declare, “There’s no more WNBA — not like we knew it.”

The bombshell news, still developing, has sent shockwaves through the sports world. According to sources familiar with the situation, the Saudi sports investment group — the same entity that has poured billions into global golf, soccer, and boxing ventures — has reached agreements to acquire significant stakes in multiple WNBA teams and league operations.

If confirmed, this would mark the first major foreign-backed takeover in U.S. women’s professional basketball history, and potentially the end of the WNBA in its current form.

A Sudden and Controversial Move

The rumored deal reportedly took shape over the past several months under intense secrecy. Insiders claim the Saudi group offered a multibillion-dollar investment package designed to “globalize women’s basketball,” promising higher player salaries, new international tournaments, and state-of-the-art arenas.

However, behind the scenes, league executives have reportedly been divided. Commissioner Engelbert is said to have expressed “deep concern” about the implications of foreign control, especially regarding the league’s independence, values, and player safety.

“The commissioner was blindsided by how fast it happened,” one insider told reporters. “She’s furious. She believes this isn’t growth — it’s a takeover.”

Players and Fans React

Within hours of the rumors breaking, players and fans flooded social media with a mix of confusion, disbelief, and anger. Some see the move as a financial breakthrough for women’s sports; others view it as a betrayal of the league’s principles.

Superstar Caitlin Clark, currently the league’s most visible player, has reportedly expressed concern about the potential impact on women athletes’ rights and freedoms under Saudi-backed ownership. Meanwhile, veteran players are said to be demanding an emergency meeting with the WNBA Players Association to address the situation.

“This isn’t what we built,” one unnamed player said. “We fought for decades to make women’s basketball independent and respected. Now it feels like that legacy is being sold.”

What Comes Next

If the takeover proceeds, insiders say the Saudi-backed organization plans to rebrand the league under a new name — the Global Women’s Basketball League (GWBL) — with the intent of expanding teams into Europe and the Middle East by 2027.

That plan has reportedly prompted Engelbert’s frustrated remark: “No more WNBA.”

Sports economists say the move reflects a growing trend of international investment reshaping professional sports, similar to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf’s merger with the PGA. However, in this case, the ethical and cultural implications are far more sensitive.

As of now, the WNBA has not released an official statement, and U.S. sports regulators are reportedly reviewing the legality of the transaction.

Fans, meanwhile, remain stunned. What was once a proud, growing symbol of women’s empowerment in sports may now be entering an uncertain — and highly controversial — new era.