The WNBA 2025 season made the headlines for its officiating inconsistency. Many coaches, players and even analysts slammed the league for the errors in officiating. But instead of working on the correcting the system they fined the critics. WNBA handed a $15,000 fine on the HC Cheryl Reeve for criticizing officials during the Lynx vs Mercury semifinal game 3.
But as per a WNBA team executive, ‘penalizing the critics’ wont resolve the issue, and suggested two transformative systems that NBA already adopted.
WNBA Executive Requests Two Transformative Changes
The NBA has been around for nearly eight decades and learnt went through many changes that bettered and solidified it for the players and fans. While the men’s basketball league also had its fair share of criticism, they acted accordingly and made some adjustments to please the critics and fans.
On similar grounds, a anonymous WNBA executive requested the league to learn from the NBA and even adopt two of its transformative changes that would help coping with the officating issues.
“My first issue with officiating is not the officials, it’s that it’s not resourced from the arenas we play in, to not having a replay center. That’s a fundamental [resource], I think, that objectively needs to be changed,” An executive told ESPN.
“I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.”
— ESPN (@espn) September 27, 2025
Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve responded to the officiating in Game 3 of the Lynx-Mercury WNBA Semifinal. pic.twitter.com/xuyfxmyqLa
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The report also mentioned that the team executive demanded a ‘Last Two Minute report’ like there is in the NBA to establish transparency and credibility with the officials, as well as a replay center to review calls in real time.
While the replay center is something that will allow the referees to get frame wise view of the call and decide on the same and last two minutes reports will allow them to explain their decision – which will build trust within the fanbase and spectators.
Napheesa Collier Highlighted WNBA Officiating As Key Issue
While the WNBA executive put forward the solution for the issue, Napheesa Collier addressed the issue in her speech. She not only criticized Cathy Engelbert but blasted the officiating inconsistency.
“The real threat to our league isn’t money. It isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office. Since I’ve been in the league, you’ve heard the constant concerns about officiating, and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plague our sport and undermine the integrity in which it operates,” Collier said.
Napheesa Collier’s full comments on Tuesday, via @adukeMN.pic.twitter.com/p2Av3tMm1T
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) September 30, 2025
While many players showed their support for the Collier’s entire speech many coaches sided with her officiating point. Even in the WNBA finals, the Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts slammed ‘weak’ ejection during the game against the Las Vegas Aces.
Players are looking for better commercials in the CBA negotiations, but may be they would demand for improvement in officiating facilities also to make game fairer.