Engelbert's job security has been a hot topic all weekend, and her answer didn't quiet the conversation CHICAGO (AP) — The WNBA will have a replay center similar to the NBA next season as the league continues to invest in officiating, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced at her state of the league press conference Saturday before the All-Star Game. Officiating has been a hot topic around the league for the last few seasons, with physical play being a major point of contention.
The league put together a task force in the offseason to help clean up some of the physicality in the game. “This is one of the most significant investments we’ve ever made in our basketball operations, this investments of tens of millions of dollars will help bring greater consistency, efficiency, and transparency to our officiating process while continuing to improve the quality of the game,” Engelbert said. Engelbert said that a lot of the details on the replay center still need to be worked out, although she said, as of now, the last two-minute report that the NBA has won’t be used in the WNBA yet.
Fouls have been up this season as there has been an emphasis to help players’ freedom of movement. The increase in fouls has led to more offense as teams are averaging a record-high number of points. Earlier this month, league gametimes were at an average of 2 hours, 8 minutes — the longest in league history.
Player safety Engelbert 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.
Racism, misogyny, homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else.” Engelbert said the feedback from the players was helpful to her. Las Vegas Aces investigation wraps up The WNBA’s investigation into whether a Las Vegas Aces sponsorship deal violated the salary cap was inconclusive, Engelbert said. “No discipline will be recommended or imposed.
Of course, if new or additional evidence comes to light, we’ll continue to investigate. But, you know, the integrity of our game is number one,” the commissioner said. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority offered in May 2024 a $100,000 sponsorship agreement to Aces players for each…
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