Has the quality of referees declined?

[cancontent]

I just saw that happen to a Mercury player recently. It was celebration, not frustration in this case.

I remember that play too.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Saw the technical Paige got for clapping and asking for an "and one".

Not to derail the topic or come across as if I am picking on Paige (not my intent) -- and not to turn into "get off my lawn" guy -- but the amount of "and one" screams from players seems to have increased exponentially in recent years.
What causes me to roll my eyes is the number of times players yell "and one" before actually making the basket.

 

[jcoton56]

Seems to me that the skills to be a great ref are perishable. The game has evolved far quicker than the refs. They put up with way too much BS from players and coaches. Also seems that a fair number of Refs do not ave the temperament for the job.

 

[Shenandoah]

The WNBA has turned into a dumpster fire, mostly, imho, due to the officials letting things get out of hand. Who wants to see repeated muggings not get called, and a player claps, and gets T'ed up. No thanks. I'd rather mow my lawn than watch the WNBA.

 

[Cuango]

If you look at CC's game going back to college you will see how often she initiates contact in order to draw fouls. Nothing wrong with that and more credit to her you can say because if you can do it successfully and get away with it, great. Transforming that, however, into the W where so much more contact is permitted before a foul is called, it is pretty easy to see why she has taken some hard knocks.

Let’s face it, unlike Clark, Paige is actually “liked” by most other players.

 

[Skeets]

OK, I can accept your questioning, but likewise how do you know what her clapping was about or not about? Did she whisper it to you on the sidelines? And were you at the game within 10 feet to see the foul? There are things like facts and there are things like opinions and conjectures. Its worthwhile to differentiate between the two and best to leave it at that.

The fact is I don't know what the clapping was about. That's why I wrote: "I'm not sure..."

Look, I might have touched a nerve, and I call a truce.

 

[WiseWillie]

The fact is I don't know what the clapping was about. That's why I wrote: "I'm not sure..."

Look, I might have touched a nerve, and I call a truce.

(No problem at all, Skeets. Simply different opinions is all. That's what discussion is all about. I respect everyone even those who may disagree with me (although can't understand how that could be possible ) because in the end we all are loyal fans and want the same thing: the best for all of the Huskies. I'm a long-time Huskies fan but relatively new BY'er and enjoy reading the comments of those who know more than me which many times I can admit is quite a lot.)

Getting back to quality of refs, Big boo-tay (Bigboote) in an earlier post had some very practical observations regarding pay, travel, # of games and training for refs to hopefully produce some better results. I echo those suggestions and would hope the WNBA at least considers some of them.

 

[Pharos]

One thing to ask is, "What 'product' do the leagues want to produce?" The degree of physical contact takes away from the beauty of the game. But does it increase fan interest? Does the WNBA want to become like the NHL where there is a certain anticipation of "excess aggression?" Does that sell tickets? Sad if that's the equation.

 

[browns]

Couldn't agree more. "Women officials are the worst"

You will not get any heat from me.

Officials are bad in every sport, but College women's basketball is the worst... That call on Uconn 2 years ago in the final four against Iowa took the cake.

It almost makes you think that maybe just maybe they Wanted and Needed C.Clark in the finals...So they screwed Uconn to get what they wanted...

I hate South Carolina and their coach but I have to admit, I rooted for Clark and Iowa to lose after that rip off job...Yep I was happy when Clark and Iowa were humiliated.

But that is just

Couldn't agree more. "Women officials are the worst"

You will not get any heat from me.

Officials are bad in every sport, but College women's basketball is the worst... That call on Uconn 2 years ago in the final four against Iowa took the cake.

It almost makes you think that maybe just maybe they Wanted and Needed C.Clark in the finals...So they screwed Uconn to get what they wanted...

I hate South Carolina and their coach but I have to admit, I rooted for Clark and Iowa to lose after that rip off job...Yep I was happy when Clark and Iowa were humiliated.

But that is just me.

Even if Edwards wasn't called for a foul how do you know Paige would have hit that shot with 4 secounds left..she was a no show the whole 4th quarter

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

There was a lengthy article published in the NYTimes (by the Athletic) about the poor state of officiating in women's college basketball.

Here's the headline; I can't get the link to upload or copy. It was published March 20, 2025.

At a ‘crisis moment,’ women’s college basketball officiating needs a way forward​

Once you read it, you will no longer be surprised at the poor officiating, but you will likely be angrier.

I referenced this article in a post. Very informative. I "think" but am not sure that there was previous coverage of the ideas in a thread closer to the March time-frame when it was published.