The WNBA is preparing to introduce a centralized replay hub next season, mirroring the system long used by the NBA, commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Saturday during her state of the league address ahead of the All-Star Game.
The move comes as WNBA officiating continues to face intense scrutiny, especially amid ongoing debate over the league’s level of physicality following Caitlin Clark’s arrival. Concerns about rough play have grown loud enough that the league formed an offseason task force aimed at addressing contact and improving game flow.
One of the most talked-about flashpoints came last month, when Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat during a tense on-court exchange. Clark, one of the WNBA’s biggest draws, said this week that the constant attention and controversy around such incidents has left her feeling “emotionally exhausted.”
“This is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in our basketball operations,” Engelbert said, adding that the league’s commitment of “tens of millions of dollars” is designed to create more consistent, efficient and transparent officiating while raising the overall standard of WNBA play.
Engelbert noted that several elements of the replay center are still being finalized. For now, however, she said the WNBA does not plan to adopt the NBA’s last two-minute report, a postgame review that evaluates officiating decisions in the closing moments of tight contests.
The league has already seen a rise in foul calls this season as officials place greater emphasis on protecting players’ freedom of movement. That shift has helped fuel more scoring, with teams averaging record offensive numbers, but it has also stretched game length. Earlier this month, WNBA games were averaging 2 hours and 8 minutes, the longest mark in league history.
The WNBA plans to launch an NBA-style replay center next season as part of a broader effort to address physical play
Alyssa Thomas sparked backlash after appearing to strike Caitlin Clark in the throat during a heated moment
Clark got the last laugh at Saturday night’s All-Star game in Chicago, helping captain Team Spoon to a 129-122 victory in the offensive showcase.
Clark set the tempo right from the opening tip, scoring the first bucket of the night on a breakaway layup before sinking three quick triples to stack up 11 points in the opening minutes.
The Indiana Fever guard finished the evening with 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists as Team Spoon controlled the pace for much of the contest.
While Clark ignited the offense early, it was New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones who took home All-Star Game MVP honors after putting up a dominant 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
Team Coop kept the pressure on behind a 28-point performance from Kelsey Mitchell and a blistering 23-point effort from former Sky fan-favorite Marina Mabrey, but Team Spoon pulled away in the fourth quarter as the defense finally ramped up.
Seattle Storm forward Dominique Malonga also brought the United Center crowd to its feet in the second quarter, throwing down a roaring dunk to highlight an unforgettable night in Chicago.
Engelbert also said the league is continuing to work with the players to try and improve their safety off the court. The league and players’ union had a virtual meeting on Tuesday night to discuss what more can be done to combat the online hate.
‘(For) too many players across the WNBA, that experience is unacceptable,’ she said. ‘Many cases, it’s disgusting. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else.’
Cathy Engelbert said the league is working with players to improve their safety off the court
She also sidestepped a question about if she planned to be the commissioner next season.
‘I’m so blessed to have to be at the helm of this league during this incredible hypergrowth period. So blessed that these players are putting the product on the court,’ she said. ‘I will just continue to, you know, do my job, execute the strategy because it has been working.’
Engelbert said that this is already the most-watched WNBA season of all-time, with the 117 broadcasts reaching over 73 million unique viewers. Twenty-nine of the games averaged over one million viewers – the most ever at the All-Star break. They had 11 all of last season.
There have been more than 2.2 million fans at games so far this year, which is up 16 per cent from last season.
