Engelbert Faces Officiating Controversy During All-Star Weekend
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend was supposed to be a celebration of elite talent. But instead of just flashy dunks and three-point contests, the weekend spotlighted something more serious: the growing frustration with WNBA officiating.
At the center of the controversy is Cathy Engelbert, the league’s commissioner, who found herself fielding tough questions about officiating standards and the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Players like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum didn’t hold back in their criticism of how games are called.
Throughout the season, frustration has been building. Many players have voiced concerns about the lack of consistency from referees. At All-Star Weekend, Kelsey Plum made it clear she was there not just to compete, but to speak out.
She and Clark have joined a growing list of stars urging the league to overhaul how officials are trained and evaluated. They’re asking for more consistent enforcement of the rules, and fewer missed calls that could sway games.
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WNBA Commissioner Embraces the Discussion
To her credit, Engelbert didn’t dodge the criticism. At several public events during the weekend, she addressed the issue directly.
“I realize consistency is the name of the game. It’s something we look at and evaluate,” she said, according to reporter Tony East.
She also made it clear that complaints aren’t falling on deaf ears. Chloe Peterson of IndyStar Sports reported Engelbert’s response:
“We hear the concerns, we take that input. Every play is reviewed. There’s an independent evaluation of officials—there are ramifications.”
Officiating in both the WNBA and NBA has been under fire this year, and even Clark has directly confronted refs during games. Players aren’t asking for perfection. They want fairness, accuracy, and accountability.
Engelbert’s willingness to address the matter publicly signals that change might be on the horizon. But with the CBA talks still unfolding, players and fans alike will be watching closely to see whether words turn into meaningful reforms in the second half of the season.
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