WNBA Refs' Treatment Of Caitlin Clark Is 'Incredibly Unprofessional'

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 6:32 PM ET

Caitlin Clark's treatment by WNBA referees has long been under the microscope.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has consistently feuded with the league's referees. Clark has at times felt targeted by the league's referees and at times ignored. Clark is guarded incredibly physically by opposing players and has often felt that refs have let too much go.

However, on Sunday, in a tight matchup against the Atlanta Dream, it was a foul called on Clark that drew scrutiny. Clark was called for a foul on a 3-point attempt by the Atlanta Dream. There was minimal contact and Clark immediately asked for the play to be reviewed.

ESPN's announcers, Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lowe, both said on-air that they felt that the foul call could get reversed. Ultimately, though, it was not.

INVESTIGATE WNBA REFS

They reviewed this and STILL called a foul on Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/i6upcict97
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 16, 2026

While announcing that the foul call stood, the WNBA referees referred to Caitlin Clark by her name.

Longtime NFL referee Terry McAulay took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to accuse the WNBA referees of "incredibly unprofessional" behavior.

WNBA refs called out by longtime NFL official

McAulay didn't hold back on social media, accusing the WNBA's referees of incredibly unprofessional behavior on the court.

McAulay said that he has never heard a player's name called out by the refs in a video review announcement like this.

"Using a player’s name during a foul or review announcement is incredibly unprofessional. I’ve never heard it done before in any sport I’ve watched or been involved with. It personalizes the ruling which should always be avoided," he shared.

Using a player’s name during a foul or review announcement is incredibly unprofessional.

I’ve never heard it done before in any sport I’ve watched or been involved with.

It personalizes the ruling which should always be avoided. https://t.co/iKLS4cHr2U
— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) August 17, 2026