WNBA Controversies

One of the biggest phenomena in sports today is undoubtedly the Women’s National Basketball Association, otherwise known as the Women’s National Basketball Association. The basketball league has skyrocketed in popularity over the past couple of years, with players like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese bringing new fans to a previously small/, but dedicated, audience. The league has seen a massive influx of viewers since 2023; they’ve started regularly selling out stadiums, garnering more viewership than some National Basketball Association playoffs, and creating household names. But this rise to the public eye hasn’t come without its controversies; with call-outs from players, coaches, and fans, the Women’s National Basketball Association is under fire. 

While players do get fined for anything they say disparaging the league, this hasn’t stopped many from speaking their minds. Napheesa Collier, from the Minnesota Lynx, recently put officials and league administration on blast. During an exit interview that quickly went viral following her unexpected mid-season departure, she delivered a prepared statement criticizing league leadership for inconsistent officiating, poor player treatment, and inadequate pay. Collier ends her speech with a call for accountability: “There is clearly a problem. People across the board, coaches, players, winning, losing, fans, everyone can see that there’s a problem. Accepting that is the first stage.” The sentiment doesn’t end with Collier. The league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is coming to a close this October, and players are calling for changes with the new contracts: better treatment, changes in officiating standards, and, most importantly, an increase in salary. For reference, the highest salary in the Women’s National Basketball Association is $250,000—the lowest-paid National Basketball Association player makes four times that, while the highest-paid players make around 200 times that. Female players are calling for an equal percentage of the league’s shared revenue. Many have taken to social media in support of the cause; players like Kelsey Plum, Lexie Hull, Nneka Ogwumike, Reese, A’ja Wilson, Sophie Cunningham, and countless others are starting to speak up against the league’s leadership. 

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Following their players, many coaches have become vocal about the situation. Cheryl Reeves, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, was fined $15,000 and temporarily suspended for incendiary comments towards referees. Becky Hammon and Stephanie White, coaches of the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever, respectively, were fined $1,000 for their support of Reeves and disapproval of the league. The immediate shutdown of any criticism points to larger issues surrounding accountability in the league. 

Of course, long before public statements from any players or coaches came admonishments from the fans. Supporters of almost every team in the league have voiced their disapproval of the insufficient salaries, unreliable refereeing, and substandard player treatment. Engelbert and the rest of the league’s leadership are undergoing harsh criticism; unless something changes, it’ll only get worse as tensions rise.