May 15 (UPI) -- Cathy Engelbert, who became the first woman to serve as CEO of Deloitte, has officially been announced as the WNBA's first commissioner.
Engelbert replaces former league president Lisa Borders, who resigned in October. Engelbert has spent the past 33 years at Deloitte, a global professional services firm, and called it "an absolute privilege" to join the WNBA.
"I see tremendous opportunity to bolster visibility for the sport of women's basketball, empower the players, and enhance fan engagement," Engelbert said in a statement.
"I look forward to using my business expertise and passion for basketball to promote women in the game and beyond, and to working with the teams and world-class athletes to help grow this league into a thriving business."
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Engelbert takes over as WNBA commissioner July 17.
"Cathy is a world-class business leader with a deep connection to women's basketball, which makes her the ideal person to lead the WNBA into its next phase of growth," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday.
Engelbert played basketball and lacrosse at Lehigh University. She graduated in 1986 and played basketball under current Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw.
McGraw praised Engelbert's selection and called her the "perfect choice" to lead the WNBA, according to ESPN.
"She has the ideal resume for this job: Division I playing experience, plus extraordinary success in corporate America," McGraw said. "She is smart, steady, confident, has a passion for the game, and has the respect of everyone she has ever worked with."
