By Selah D.

When fans criticize WNBA officiating, it’s rarely about one bad call — rather, it’s the inconsistency that sparks anger. One night, physicality is ignored; the next, the same play draws a foul. This makes it extremely difficult for players to gauge how far they can push the boundaries. 

As a result of the lack of consistency, every foul can sway the game one way or another. Players, coaches, and fans are increasingly upset that officials are changing the outcome of games instead of the players. 

This season, several conflicts between teams have broken out mid-game due to inactive officiating. Take the Indiana Fever-Connecticut Sun game just before the All-Star break, in which a highly anticipated matchup was derailed by constant physical altercations. Instead of just playing basketball, multiple players were fined or ejected for what was fundamentally a lack of consistent, effective calls made by the officials.

In the press conference following the game, Fever head coach Stephanie White commented on the officiating: “When the officials don’t get control of the ballgame, when they allow that stuff to happen — and it’s been happening all season long — this is what happens. You’ve got competitive women who are the best in the world at what they do and when you allow them to play physical, they’re gonna compete. [The officials have] gotta get control of it, they gotta be better.” 

Not only do the officiating problems create opportunities for conflicts during games, but also may be one cause of injuries that have plagued the WNBA this season. Dangerous plays have become increasingly common. Excessive fouls and over-the-top physicality lead to situations where players are highly subject to injury. This year, Caitlin Clark, Kayla Thornton, Breanna Stewart, and many other prominent players have all missed time while hurt. With concerns related to the health of star players, officials may finally be held accountable. 

Whether it’s Paige Bueckers asking the refs if they need her glasses, Diana Taurasi saying she’ll see them in the lobby, or Sabrina Ionescu daring them to tech her, players are fed up with how the refs are impacting the game. Inconsistent officiating has been a league-wide problem for far too long, and now. With viewership at an all-time high, the issue needs to be addressed now more than ever. Fixing WNBA refereeing will create a better game experience not only for those playing and coaching, but for the fans watching too.