In this week’s SB Nation Reacts national survey, all eyes are on the WNBA. The 2025 Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury is in full swing. The Aces are leading the series 3-0 and could
win it all tonight in Game 4, which will be at 8 p.m. ET tonight and aired on ESPN.
The survey however focuses on two different issues. One is on the officiating in the WNBA. The second is on what the biggest issue in the WNBA is given that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will end on Oct. 31 where a lockout, is possible.
With officiating, the verdict is clear. Of the respondents to our national survey, 97 percent — nearly everyone — believe that there is an officiating problem in the league, in particular with the degree of physical contact that is tolerated. Check out this article by Kendra Andrews of ESPN to learn more.
Now, the WNBA is about to enter a period of uncertainty due to the current CBA negotiations. And nearly half — of 49 percent — of respondents believe that league leadership is the issue. This sentiment also tends to be pro-player among the fans who voted.
We have seen plenty of clashes between players and league leaders. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern was a notoriously tough negotiator who was both respected for growing the NBA and maintaining a hard line with players, the latter of which made him unpopular with NBA fans, despite his overall respect. While Stern was one of the best marketers and strategists out there (and he was a lawyer bytrade), the reality is that Stern was an employee of the owners — NOT a players’ union leader.
Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA Commissioner, is being cast as a bad leader. But again, she, like Stern or current NBA Commissioner Adam Silver represents the WNBA team owners — and yes, Silver himself. Her job is to grow the game and the league’s presence. I think she has done a good job of those things since 2019 when she took the job. The WNBA now has 13 teams, up from 12 when she started. There will be 15 teams in the 2026 season. And in 2030, the WNBA will have 30 teams. The league is funded more than it ever has. The coverage is bigger than it ever has. From this stand, things are going well.
But while NBA players feared Stern, they still respected him. And that’s what Engelbert may not have as much of right now. If players lack confidence in a commissioner, team owners will eventually worry about whether star players will want to play in the WNBA (remember, players can still play overseas). And so will Silver himself.
How do you think WNBA officiating is? And do you think Engelbert should stay as WNBA Commissioner? Let us know in the comments below.
