The WNBA will introduce a replay center similar to the NBA's system for the upcoming season, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Saturday. The move aims to address officiating concerns that have intensified over recent seasons, particularly since the arrival of star player Caitlin Clark.
"This is one of the most significant investments we've ever made in our basketball operations, this investments 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," Engelbert stated at her pre-All-Star Game press conference.
Officiating has been a focal point of discussion, with increased physical play being a major point of contention. A league task force was established in the offseason to address the physicality in the game. A notable incident involved Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas delivering a strike to Clark's throat last month, drawing significant criticism. Clark herself has described the ongoing controversy as "emotionally exhausting."
The league is still finalizing details for the replay center, and Engelbert indicated that the NBA's last two-minute report will not be utilized in the WNBA at this time. Fouls have increased this season due to an emphasis on player freedom of movement, leading to record-high scoring averages and longer game times. The average game length has reached 2 hours and 8 minutes, the longest in league history.
Clark participated in the All-Star Game in Chicago, where her team secured a 129-122 victory. She contributed 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists, while New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones was named All-Star Game MVP. The offensive showcase also featured strong performances from Kelsey Mitchell and Marina Mabrey, and a dunk from Seattle Storm forward Dominique Malonga.
Beyond officiating, Engelbert also addressed player safety off the court, noting ongoing discussions with the players' union to combat online hate. "For too many players across the WNBA, that experience is unacceptable. Many cases, it's disgusting. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else," she said.
Engelbert also commented on the league's current growth, noting that this season is the most-watched in WNBA history. Over 73 million unique viewers have tuned into the 117 broadcasts, with 29 games averaging over one million viewers, surpassing last season's total by the All-Star break. Fan attendance is also up 16 percent from last season, with over 2.2 million fans attending games so far.