With WNBA officiating under scrutiny, what does it take to become a referee in the league?

WNBA officiating has faced significant scrutiny throughout the season, with numerous complaints from coaches and players regarding its quality and consistency. This dissatisfaction has intensified during the playoffs, where nearly every coach has used postgame news conferences to voice concerns about the physicality of play and officiating standards.

In a notable incident, Minnesota's coach Cheryl Reeve launched a two-minute public tirade after her team lost Game 3 of the best-of-five series against Phoenix, questioning not only the competency of the officials but also the leadership of the referees at the league level. This highlights the escalating frustrations among team representatives over perceived inconsistencies in officiating.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed these officiating issues during the All-Star Weekend in July, acknowledging the concerns raised by teams and emphasizing the league's efforts to review every play extensively. She stated that the league uses this feedback for officials' training and stressed the importance of consistency, noting that while the WNBA may not call as many fouls as other basketball formats, maintaining uniform standards is a key focus.

The league has maintained a structured system for developing officials over the past two decades, which requires all aspiring WNBA referees to gain experience in the NBA's developmental G League. This serves as a feeder program, providing referees with opportunities to officiate at a professional level and be evaluated on both their rule knowledge and ability to work effectively in three-person teams.

To become a WNBA official, individuals must first be identified through a scouting program that targets referees working at high school, college, or other levels. Once selected, they participate in WNBA and NBA developmental programs before advancing to the G League, where they refine their skills before potentially moving up to officiate in the WNBA.