WNBA’s emphasis on officiating is noticeable but the players are still adjusting

While WNBA players and owners managed to sort through their biggest issue in the offseason, reaching a new collective bargaining agreement, the loudest lingering issue was about the way the game was being played on the court.

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While the league’s overall talent level might be at its highest, players repeatedly voiced concerns that officiating wasn’t keeping pace.

From Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese to Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, the criticism of WNBA officials was widespread and scathing.

It’s continued this season with heated exchanges between Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and officials.

For its part, the league has taken steps to strengthen its officiating arm, creating an officiating task force in the offseason, hiring five new officials before the start of the season, and tapping veteran official Eric Brewton as a referee performance and development advisor.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the league’s next measure last week before the All-Star Game in Chicago. Next season, the league will launch its own replay center, “the centralized hub for all reviewable replay situations.”

The WNBA will lean on the same Secaucus, N.J., facility that the NBA has used since 2014.

“This is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in our basketball operations,” Engelbert said. “This investment of tens of millions of dollars will help bring greater consistency, efficiency and transparency to our officiating process, while continuing to improve the quality of the game.”

The added emphasis on officiating has been noticeable, but Engelbert acknowledged players are still adjusting.

“I think it’s paying off,” Engelbert said. “That’s what we heard from players: We want more freedom of movement. Now there’s always a calibration and adjustment period, more fouls are being called but I think it’s adjusting even since over the past couple weeks. I know, officiating, we always need to be better.”

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This season, officials are calling 40.4 fouls per game, the highest rate since 2008 (41.6).

Personal fouls are up to 15.0 per game from 12.4 last season. Shooting fouls are up to 17.2 per game from 15.2 a year ago. Technical fouls are down a tick to 0.6 per game, while loose-ball fouls are up to 3.0 per game.

Some players have reaped the benefits.

Last year, Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper drew 2.8 fouls per game. This season, she’s drawing 5.4. As a rookie a year ago, Washington’s Sonia Citron averaged 3.9 drawn fouls per game. This season, she’s drawing 6.3. Clark drew 4.5 fouls per game in an injury-shortened 2025 season, but she’s drawing 6.1 this year. Even A’ja Wilson, who led the league with 6.7 fouls drawn per game a year ago for the Aces, is up to 7.5 this season.

Wilson (7.5), Citron (6.3), Clark (6.1), and Copper (5.4) are all in the top 10 in free throw attempts per game.

Meanwhile, coaches have challenged 257 calls this season and 134 (52 percent) have been overturned.

The improvements are still a work in progress, but Engelbert said, “We’re throwing a lot at this to make sure we have the best officials in the game.”

1. Dream at Wings, Wednesday: With the fourth-best record in the league, the Wings are putting together their best season since 2023, with Jessica Shepard and Paige Bueckers leading the way. But they’re only a game and a half ahead of the Dream, who’ve had their number in two previous meetings this season and are looking to complete the regular-season sweep.

2. Liberty at Aces, Thursday: The Liberty snapped a four-game losing streak with wins over Dallas and Chicago going into the break. Their first game on the back end of the season will be a test, but it’s one they usually get up for. They’ve won seven of their last eight regular-season meetings against Vegas.

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Julian Benbow can be reached at [email protected].