Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) recently expressed interest in taking over as commissioner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), following the announcement that current commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire after seven years in the role. Craig made the comment on the social media platform X, stating, “Hey, @WNBA, I’m a free agent in January.” The post came in response to Engelbert’s decision to step down, a move that follows the league’s increased popularity and a series of high-profile controversies. Craig, who lost the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, is a known supporter of the Minnesota Lynx, the WNBA team based in her home state. She has also been involved in personal wagers with other politicians, such as Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), about the outcome of the 2024 WNBA finals. However, she did not follow through on the bet due to a controversial officiating call in the game. Her interest in the WNBA leadership role appears to be both personal and political, given her history of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and progressive policies. Under Engelbert’s leadership, the WNBA has expanded from 12 teams to 15, with plans to grow to 18 by 2030. The league has also seen record-breaking attendance and viewership in recent seasons. However, Engelbert has faced criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers, over her handling of discussions on transgender athletes in sports. In a recent memo, she described the topic as complex and nuanced, stating the league would continue to engage in dialogue on the issue. This debate was sparked by comments from Sophie Cunningham, a player for the Indiana Fever, who expressed concerns about biological men competing against women in sports. Rep. Craig, who is the first openly lesbian mother elected to Congress and a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, has consistently opposed legislation that targets transgender athletes. In 2020, she denounced the “Protect Women’s Sports Act,” which sought to redefine sex under Title IX based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. Craig called the bill “transphobic” and emphasized that such discrimination has no place in Congress. Her stance on the issue aligns with her broader advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in sports and beyond.