Bethany Donaphin helps WNBA players with her playmaking abilities.

Meet Bethany Donaphin, a remarkable woman who has been making waves in both the corporate world and the basketball community since her retirement from the WNBA in 2008. Bethany's impressive resume includes playing for the New York Liberty and working for both Deloitte and the National Basketball Association. Currently, she holds the role of Head of League Operations for the WNBA, where she oversees all on-court basketball affairs and works towards the future success of the women's professional league through rule changes, referee evaluations, and the application of analytics and innovation.
It's no wonder Andscape recently featured Bethany in a must-read article, highlighting her unique ability to bring together her two passions - business and basketball. As a former player for the New York Liberty, Bethany holds the distinction of being the first player from New York to join the team. And now, as Head of League Operations, she continues to make an impact and pave the way for future generations of female athletes.
But Bethany's influence reaches far beyond the WNBA. In 2019, when Kathy Englebert was named the league's commissioner, she assigned Bethany with the task of creating a pipeline for former WNBA players to become head coaches in the league. And in true Bethany fashion, she accomplished this in record time. By 2022, over half of the head coaching positions and assistant coaching positions were held by women, with half of the head coaches being women of color. These numbers represent a significant increase from just a few years prior, showcasing Bethany's dedication and hard work.
In an interview with Andscape, Bethany shared her motivation for advocating for players' needs in the league office. As a former player herself, she understands the importance of representation and is proud to be a role model for women of color in the WNBA. Her work as a bridge between the players and the league has not gone unnoticed, with players like Breanna Stewart praising her for being a great listener and advocate.
Despite some speculating that Bethany would make a fantastic commissioner for the WNBA, she remains focused on her current role and making a difference in the moment. As she puts it, "Where I am is exactly where I'm supposed to be." Her dedication to her job and her unique perspective as a former player make her an invaluable asset to the league.
And as the WNBA continues to make strides in promoting diversity and supporting its players, Bethany's impact will surely continue to be felt. She is a true playmaker, both on and off the court, and her contributions to the league are immeasurable. We are lucky to have her as a leader and advocate for the WNBA, and we can't wait to see what she accomplishes next.

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