The storm surrounding the WNBA and its embattled commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, has just reached an entirely new level — and now, one of the most powerful figures in all of basketball is weighing in. Multiple sources say NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is furious with Engelbert, accusing her of mishandling the league’s most pivotal moment in decades and “putting the reputation of women’s basketball at risk.”

The bombshell revelation comes as the WNBA faces a public relations crisis unlike anything in its history. Months of escalating controversy — from alleged officiating bias and player targeting to reports of explosive confrontations with superstar rookie Caitlin Clark — have left the league reeling. Fan outrage is boiling over, players are openly questioning leadership, and now, it appears the NBA’s top executive has had enough.

According to insiders with direct knowledge of the situation, Silver recently confronted Engelbert in a tense, closed-door meeting, sharply criticizing her leadership and expressing “deep concern” about the league’s direction. “Adam was livid,” one source said. “He told Cathy that her failures were damaging not just the WNBA’s brand but the credibility of professional basketball as a whole. He believes she’s squandered a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

That “opportunity,” of course, is Caitlin Clark — the record-breaking rookie whose electrifying play has shattered attendance records, driven ratings to historic highs, and brought millions of new fans into the women’s game. Clark’s arrival has been widely hailed as a turning point for the WNBA, with many comparing her impact to what Michael Jordan did for the NBA in the 1980s. But instead of ushering in a new golden era, Clark’s rookie season has been marred by controversy — much of it linked directly to the league office.

From repeated hard fouls and targeted physical play that many fans believe have gone unpunished, to the commissioner’s reported dismissal of Clark’s concerns in private meetings, Engelbert’s leadership has come under fire from every direction. Now, it appears Silver has joined the chorus of critics.

“Adam is worried that Cathy is losing control of the narrative,” another league executive said. “The WNBA should be riding a wave of unprecedented popularity right now, and instead, they’re stuck in damage-control mode. He told her that if this continues, it could undo years of progress.”

Sources say Silver’s frustration is not just about Clark — it’s about the broader perception of instability and dysfunction in the WNBA. The controversies surrounding Engelbert’s handling of officiating issues, her strained relationship with top players, and her alleged clashes with Clark have all combined to cast a shadow over the league. That, insiders say, is a major problem for the NBA, which not only supports the WNBA financially but also relies on its success as a vital part of the basketball ecosystem.

“Adam takes the WNBA’s image seriously,” said a former league official. “The NBA has invested heavily in growing women’s basketball. He doesn’t want to see that undermined by poor leadership decisions. And right now, Cathy’s decisions are doing real damage.”

Public sentiment appears to agree. Fan anger toward Engelbert has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, with social media campaigns calling for her resignation and petitions demanding new leadership. Many point to her alleged response to Clark — including reports that she told the rookie to “leave the league” during a heated meeting — as evidence that she is out of touch with the sport’s most important figures. Others criticize her for failing to protect Clark from overly physical play and for not speaking out forcefully enough against those targeting her.

The result, critics argue, is a league that appears hostile to its own brightest star — and a commissioner who seems more focused on controlling the narrative than building the future. Silver, according to insiders, sees this as unacceptable.

“Adam’s message was clear: fix this — or step aside,” said one source with knowledge of their meeting. “He believes the league is at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the next few months will determine whether it thrives or collapses.”

Engelbert, for her part, has remained largely silent in the face of mounting criticism. In a recent statement, she emphasized the league’s commitment to “player safety and growth” and insisted that leadership is “working closely with all stakeholders” to address concerns. But that statement has done little to quiet the outrage — or reassure those within the league office who fear that the situation is spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, Clark herself has stayed focused on basketball, declining to publicly comment on Engelbert’s leadership or the reports of their heated exchange. But those close to her say the rookie is frustrated and disappointed, feeling that the league has failed to meet the moment. “Caitlin just wants to help grow the game,” one source said. “She never expected to be at the center of so much drama — and she certainly didn’t expect the commissioner to be part of the problem.”

With the NBA now reportedly pressuring the WNBA to address its leadership crisis, speculation is growing that Engelbert’s position could be in jeopardy. Several insiders believe that if fan anger continues to rise and player unrest deepens, Silver and league owners may have no choice but to consider a change at the top.

“The WNBA is at a turning point,” said one longtime analyst. “It has the talent, the audience, and the momentum to become a global powerhouse. But poor leadership could derail all of that. If Cathy Engelbert can’t get things under control — and fast — Adam Silver may decide she’s not the right person for the job.”

For now, one thing is certain: the tension between the NBA and WNBA leadership is no longer just a rumor — it’s a reality. And unless something changes soon, Cathy Engelbert’s grip on the commissioner’s office may be slipping faster than anyone expected.