Players lunging into screens, rim protectors contesting every layup, three-point sharpshooters launching from deep; this is the WNBA in 2025, faster and harder than ever. However, amid the rising star power and historic buzz, the issue of inconsistent officiating continues to be the talking point.
Cathy Engelbert Responds To Officiating Concerns
Ahead of the 2025 All-Star Games, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert finally addressed what everyone’s been seeing on the court. Officiating concerns ranked high on her list, right alongside talks about the next collective bargaining agreement. “I realize consistency is the name of the game. It’s something we definitely need to look at and evaluate,” Engelbert said, putting the issue front and center.
She confirmed that officials are independently reviewed and face “ramifications” for poor performance. But as games speed up and physical play escalates, many feel the way the game is called hasn’t quite caught up.
Engelbert promised to address these needs, stating, “As our game evolves, so does our officiating. We’re on it.”
Cathy Engelbert says officiating concerns are heard and will be worked on 👀 pic.twitter.com/SvFgNSRNNF
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 20, 2025
What started as grumblings in the league has now turned into a chorus, with players such as Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum openly calling for change. The push for more accountability and transparency isn’t just background noise anymore; it’s turning into a real movement.
According to an ESPN article by Maria Lawson, foul calls are up, with teams averaging 18.7 fouls per game so far. That’s a sharp jump compared to 2017, even though other stats are in line with historic averages. Flagrant fouls have also spiked, with 52 already this season, just a notch below the all-time high for a 44-game schedule. Technical fouls are projected to reach 191, which would edge into the top six most in WNBA history.
The result? More whistles, more frustrations, and, apparently, more injuries as play gets increasingly physical. This isn’t just about missed calls but also player safety, game flow, and the credibility of a league that’s suddenly must-see TV for millions.
A “Fair” CBA Will Be Reached, Engelbert Claims
Engelbert’s other headline issue was the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA). She believed that a “fair” CBA is in sight, likely after the current deal expires on October 31. “I’m still really optimistic that we’ll get something done that would be transformational,” she said.
Talks restarted this week for the first time since December, with more than 40 players there to make their voices heard. Engelbert offered hope but stopped short of a timeline: “I have confidence we can get something done by October, but I’m not going to put an exact date on it.”
Meanwhile, players aren’t waiting for the ink to dry. During All-Star Game warmups, they wore shirts reading, “Pay us what you owe us,” a clear message about what they want next.
Both teams wearing shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” #WNBA pic.twitter.com/LB4LBAbPNr
— Aliyah Funschelle (@AliyahFun) July 20, 2025
Engelbert acknowledged the demands for higher salaries and a bigger piece of the league’s growing pie: “We want the same things as the players, but we want to significantly increase their salaries and benefits while balancing our owners’ path to profitability.”
The timing is critical. The WNBA just signed an 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC, starting in 2026. A contract worth nearly $200 million per year. Three new expansion teams paid $250 million apiece to join, plus major sponsors are lining up. Engelbert also revealed plans for a global push, with interest flooding in from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
If the WNBA can resolve the officiating concerns and deliver a CBA that satisfies its players, 2025 could be remembered as the year the league truly transforms to another level.
