Cheryl Reeve Awarded WNBA Executive of the Year

The WNBA has honored Cheryl Reeve, head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Lynx, as Basketball Executive of the Year. The league made the announcement on Monday, with Reeve receiving this prestigious accolade for the third time. This achievement ties her with the Atlanta Dream’s Dan Padover for the most selections in the award’s history.

Reeve’s latest award comes shortly after the Lynx, despite being the top-seeded team, were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Liberty. The Liberty were then swept in the semifinals by the Dream. In the voting process, Reeve appeared on 13 ballots, surpassing Padover, who received 11 votes, and Ohemaa Nyanin of Golden State, who had eight votes. Each of the 15 WNBA teams had an executive participate in the voting, and none could select themselves.

This recognition highlights Reeve’s influence in the WNBA as one of its most prominent left-wing figures. Her political stance is evident as she uses the WNBA platform to express her views on the participation of males in women’s sports. Reeve’s leadership earns her respect among her peers, and her selections reflect widespread approval of her organizational identity.

Reeve has consistently positioned her franchise as a platform for political advocacy, which she integrates into her leadership style.

The league’s announcement highlights Reeve’s strategic choice of Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Miles shone as the unanimous Rookie of the Year, setting a league rookie scoring record with 790 points. Dallas Wings had the opportunity to select Miles but chose Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers’ girlfriend and former UConn teammate, with the No. 1 pick instead. This decision left Miles available for Reeve and the Lynx.

Reeve’s trade decisions also benefit Minnesota. In 2024, Minnesota traded with Chicago, obtaining Sika Koné, draft picks, and future rights, which paid off in subsequent seasons. Minnesota capitalized by keeping its own 2026 first-round pick due to another strategic trade with Chicago in 2025.

Natasha Howard was another key acquisition, starting all 44 games and earning an All-Star starting spot. This strengthened the Lynx, who finished the season with a robust 33-11 record and secured the No. 1 playoff seed. Despite these achievements, the Lynx failed to win a playoff game, being the first No. 1 seed eliminated by a No. 8 seed in WNBA history, losing to the New York Liberty.

Reeve’s recognition as Basketball Executive of the Year mirrors her coveted title as Coach of the Year, which she won for the fifth time recently. Her leadership extends beyond tactical decisions to include her political advocacy. Her stance on controversial issues, such as male participation in women’s sports, marks her role as both a coach and an executive. These public statements form part of her leadership identity, reflecting how the WNBA decision-makers value her influence.

The acknowledgment of Reeve’s leadership by her peers as exemplary indicates the direction of the WNBA’s governance. Her advocacy on sensitive issues is intertwined with her professional accomplishments, illustrating the broader narrative of the league’s leadership.