Redwelt, scattered like a war zone, just ran out, and Kelsey Plum lets Mike handle it.
“I play more aggressively than anyone in the league,” said the Sparks guard. “So getting only six free throws is disappointing. I’ve hurt my face and body, and yet defenders from other teams receive questionable fouls, and I’m tired of this.”
Plum played 41 minutes, including overtime, for the Golden State Valkyries and received six free throw attempts. Many WNBA players, coaches, and fans have expressed frustration with what they perceive as inconsistent and unreliable officiating this season.
However, within the league’s management offices, there is confidence that referees are performing well.
Las Vegas ace coach Becky Hammon questioned a referee’s call during a game against the Sparks at the Crypto.com Arena on July 29th (photo credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times).
“I’m quite satisfied with the officiating this year,” said Monty McCutchen, who oversees referee training across NBA leagues. Despite this, McCutchen and Sue Blauch acknowledge the criticism and have not ignored concerns.
They pointed to an extensive review process where 95% of games are analyzed live, with every play rated by internal and independent reviewers. These ratings help monitor referee performance over time.
Teams can flag up to 30 plays for review per game via the League Portal, covering isolated calls or trends across multiple games. League officials then review, compile, and share feedback directly with referees.
Read more: Kelsey Plum criticizes the lack of calls against the Valkyries.
“There is no shortage of feedback,” McCutchen said.
The WNBA’s officiating system differs greatly from the NBA’s. With only 35 referees primarily officiating NCAA or G-League games, the WNBA mostly relies on part-timers earning $1,538 per game as rookies, working 20-34 games per season.
“You officiate three very different styles of basketball,” explained Jacob Tinle, sports management expert at Trinity University. “NBA and MLB work well because their referees exclusively officiate one league.”
The WNBA lacks a centralized replay center and development league, making it hard to maintain consistency across a patchwork system.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum questioned officials’ calls during the July 29 game against the Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena (photo credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times).
“If there’s no cohesion, trust in refereeing partnerships declines,” said sports psychology professor David Hancock. “Our studies show referees who feel connected to their group perform better.”
McCutchen reviews calls submitted for evaluation but the league lacks transparency on grading or systemic insights. This leaves players and coaches searching for consistent officiating during games.
“You can’t predict WNBA foul calls anymore,” said Louisiana State University professor Joshua Jackson. “You hear whispers, and then suddenly, some calls look terrible.”
The referee whistle has become unpredictable. Star player Angel Reese called it “the devil.” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said late-game officiating let the team down. Belgian player Julie Allemand felt more “protected” in Eurobasket. And 2025 star Napheesa Collier warned the situation is “deteriorating.”
Read more: WNBA players embrace evolving tunnel walk fashion.
The inconsistency could reverberate through 2026 as the WNBA enters a $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal.
Nicole Lavoy, head of the Tucker Center—a research hub advocating for girls and women in sports—explained it’s a broader systemic issue, not just bad referees making poor calls. Women’s sports have long been undervalued.
Many players reject the idea they complain excessively, saying inconsistent calls are dangerous.
Professor and kinesiologist Lucas Sheehafer, tracking WNBA injuries, noted 173 injuries this season causing players to miss 789 games.
Sparks react after a ball is stripped and no foul called during a game at Crypto.com Arena on July 29th (photo credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times).
Sheehafer said inconsistent whistle blows cause uncertainty about allowable contact, potentially leading to more injuries and tricky landings.
“Athletes depend on consistency and rhythm,” said pediatric orthopedic surgeon Nirav Pandya. “Unclear contact rules disrupt that and increase injury risk.”
When Caitlin Clark suffered a groin injury in mid-July, her brother criticized officials on social media for permitting too much contact.
Lavoy added, “Because of the talent, people watch the WNBA, but when players are sidelined due to injuries, excitement drops.”
Read more: WNBA Maternal: Balancing career and family.
Officials face high turnover; Brenda Hilton from an organization improving sports staff treatment said 70-80% quit within three years mainly due to online abuse.
Lavoy emphasized compassion: “Everyone makes mistakes—players, coaches, referees. We should appreciate the humans behind the whistle who love the game.”
NBA and WNBA officiating leaders have yet to announce plans for system changes; the frustration among players, coaches, and fans seems likely to continue.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
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Fan Take: The integrity and consistency of officiating are crucial for the WNBA as it grows into a major professional league. Addressing these referee challenges is essential not only for player safety but for maintaining fan trust and the league’s credibility in a landmark era of expansion and media exposure.
