WNBA Referee’s Pay Revealed Amid Public Scrutiny

The issue became more apparent during an Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun game on June 17. Sun guard Marina Mabrey engaged in an altercation with Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who was shoved to the floor.

Following the scuffle and once both players were separated, Mabrey only received a technical foul for making hard contact on Clark, although the league upgraded the penalty to a flagrant-2 the next day. Furthermore, the improper officiating led to Fever coach Stephanie White speaking out against what transpired.

“When the officials don’t get control of the ballgame, when they allow stuff to happen, and it’s been happening all season long, this is what happens,” White told reporters after the incident.

However, some officials believe these issues occur because of the difference in pressure between the WNBA and NCAA rules and standards. Furthermore, constantly officiating games between the NCAA and WNBA can require officials to call games differently than they might be used to, which could lead to confusion and inconsistencies in their officiating of WNBA games.

“One official said complaints from a coach on the collegiate level can lead to not being assigned to cover games involving that coach,” Copeland reported. “That can result in a hesitancy to give a technical or eject a coach for unsportsmanlike behavior.”

However, one official believes it will only change if they receive a full-time salary like the NBA referees.

“Until they hire us full-time and pay us as full-time employees, then it’s never going to change,” the official said. “Because if you pay me enough money to, say, just work the WNBA, I’ll leave college.”