It started as a joke until a brand actually put money on the table. Players and fans have been taking shots at the officiating all season. Now, joining the conversation LASIK offered an interesting solution. “We offer all WNBA refs LASIK for free!” they announced on social media, and honestly, that might be the funniest brand pitch we’ve seen in a while. If blurry vision really is the issue, well, the W’s got a solution staring them in the face. But behind all the jokes and tweets, the issue finally hit a nerve and the front office is being forced to respond.
We already know the tension’s been thick between players and the front office with all this CBA back-and-forth. But if there’s one thing that’s come out stronger than ever, it’s this: these players are together in this. Backed by what they called the largest attendance ever for collective bargaining negotiations, around 40 WNBA players met with league officials Thursday to hash it all out.
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and a ton of others showed up in business suits, ready to be heard. Before the All-Star Game, Napheesa Collier and Clark echoed the same energy. “I would say just that the players obviously are taking this really seriously. We have the most participation in league history… it just has a really strong message that we’re standing really firm on certain areas that we feel really strongly that we need to improve,” Phee said.
Clark added, “Yeah, I think for myself that was the best part… just being in the room and there’s over 40 other players in this league. I think that’s the most powerful thing—just all the girls from across the league being in that room together.” And well, all of this did at least get the Commissioner to respond on one issue, at least. Engelbert finally addressed the officiating.
Cathy Engelbert on officiating: “We hear the concerns, we take that input. Every play is reviewed … there’s an independent evaluation of officials, there are ramifications. It’s something we need to continue to work on.”
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 19, 2025
“We hear the concerns, we take that input. Every play is reviewed… there’s an independent evaluation of officials, there are ramifications. It’s something we need to continue to work on,” she said. Now, here’s hoping “continue to work on” turns into actual change. We’ll be watching. Closely.
Developing Story…..
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