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CHICAGO -- 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. It has also led to longer games. 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. "Many cases, it's disgusting. 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.
ACES INVESTIGATION
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 of the following two seasons. That amount exceeded the salaries for six of the players, according to Spotrac.
No such agreement was offered for this season, but player salaries also dramatically rose after the new collective-bargaining agreement was completed in May. Each Aces player earns at least $270,000, according to Spotrac. The initial offer prompted the league to launch a probe into whether it skirted salary-cap rules.
"We did this the right way," LVCVA president and CEO Steve Hill said at the time. "We did something that we think works for Las Vegas and I think great for the players. We did this without the team. It was our idea and any questions they ask they'll find that out."
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert smiles as she talks to media at a news conference before a WNBA All-Star basketball game between Team Coop and Team Spoon in Chicago, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert smiles as she talks to media at a news conference before a WNBA All-Star basketball game between Team Coop and Team Spoon in Chicago, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)