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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – I have never watched a WNBA game from start to finish.
Caitlin Clark is the only player I know by name.
But day after day my social media feed fills up with Caitlin plays. She’s a next-generation talent. And, night after night, she’s savaged by hard, dirty fouls. Apparently, the officiating in the WNBA stinks.
Here is my own, perhaps somewhat-sexist, opinion. A female official who works WNBA games is seeing a type of basketball that’s completely different from what she experienced when she was a player. Today’s women’s game is much more physical. The players are bigger than just a few years ago. Bodies go flying for every rebound and loose ball; moving picks seem almost like offensive-line play in football. Officiating hasn’t kept up.
I noted yesterday that nine college basketball conferences announced a new initiative to improve women’s basketball officiating. The Big East and the Atlantic Coast Conference acknowledge that the women’s game is different, and must be officiated differently.
And the WNBA has a different problem. No one goes to their games to see Caitlin Clark get injured. The league loses ratings, loses ticket revenue and loses overall fan interest when she can’t play. And, right now, the league can’t protect its golden goose.
The biggest danger is that when Caitlin Clark’s contract is up in 2028, maybe she’ll sign full time in the Euro-League or in Australia. The money is better. And the referees are up to the job.
Chris Conley
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