As her final term in office concludes, Representative Angie Craig is eyeing an unconventional career change, declaring the WNBA commissioner role her dream job.
The halls of Congress are fading into the rearview mirror for Representative Angie Craig. but the Minnesota Democrat is already scanning the horizon for her next move. With her term ending in January and her bid for the Senate having fallen short against Peggy Flanagan. the 54-year-old is finding herself a ‘free agent’ for the first time in years.
She isn’t looking for a quiet transition into private life. Instead. Craig has set her sights on the WNBA. publicly eyeing the commissioner’s seat left vacant following Cathy Engelbert’s retirement last month. Her pitch to the league is as unconventional as it is candid. ‘If the WNBA called. that’s the one job my wife would say. “Take the call. ” at this moment in time. ‘ Craig explained. noting that she believes the position is ‘every middle-aged lesbian’s dream job.’.
Craig’s interest is rooted in a long history as a dedicated supporter. A regular presence at the Target Center for Minnesota Lynx games. she even traveled to New York in 2024 to witness the team’s WNBA Finals loss to the Liberty. That trip left a sour taste, one she hasn’t forgotten. She publicly criticized league leadership in 2025. claiming the WNBA office favored the Liberty for their ‘superstar faces’ and ‘tidy storyline’ while dismissing Minnesota as ‘too gritty’ and ‘too inconvenient.’.
Her critique highlights the pressure cooker that has defined Engelbert’s seven-year tenure. While the league’s economic landscape has transformed—with annual revenue climbing tenfold to nearly $400 million and national media deal income ballooning to $200 million—the commissioner’s office has become a lightning rod for controversy. Players have openly challenged leadership on safety. officiating. and pay. while fans of Caitlin Clark have voiced intense frustration over the league’s perceived failure to protect the Indiana Fever guard from physical play. Simultaneously. political friction has intensified as figures like former NBA player and failed political candidate Royce White attempt to pressure the league over its gender inclusion policies. even declaring eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft—a move sources indicate is non-viable.
This landscape of massive growth and constant public scrutiny is where the next commissioner will land. Franchise valuations have surged from $15 million in 2019 to figures reaching between $250 million and $1 billion for top-tier clubs. For Craig, the shift from Minnesota’s second district to the WNBA front office would be a monumental pivot. Having promised her wife. Cheryl. she would pause before making concrete plans. the congresswoman’s public declaration signals that. for her. the campaign for the league’s top job has already begun.
Angie Craig WNBA WNBA commissioner Minnesota Cathy Engelbert sports news