On July 18, Los Angeles Sparks star and 2025 WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum addressed the growing frustration surrounding referee decisions in the league, highlighting issues with how calls are made during games. Plum’s comments underscore ongoing concerns about the lack of uniformity in officiating, a topic that has sparked debate across the WNBA.
Inconsistency in Calling Fouls Creates Confusion for Players
During her conversation with the media, Plum emphasized that the problem is not with the physicality of the game, but with how inconsistently fouls are judged. She pointed out the disparity between minor infractions being called in some instances while more serious physical contact goes unpenalized in others.
I have no problem with the physicality. I think people are frustrated with the consistency,
Plum said, per an X post from Robin Lundberg of Women’s Fastbreak on SI.
So it’s like a ticky-tack here, and then someone gets absolutely assaulted over here, and like, where’s the line? And where do we call it, and why do we call it?
She went on to explain the impact this inconsistency has on player strategy and fairness throughout the game.
So it’s like, hey, if you’re not gonna call it in the first, that’s fine. But don’t call it in the fourth. Or let me guard them that way that they guard me… I think that, just the officiating across the board, people have been frustrated with the lack of consistency.
WNBA Legend Sheryl Swoopes Also Criticizes Officiating
Kelsey Plum is far from alone in her concerns, as former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes expressed similar frustrations on a July 15 episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast. Swoopes questioned whether the referees fully understand the nuances of the women’s game, given the uneven enforcement of rules that are designed to protect players.
Just the inconsistency from the refs. I don’t think the refs really truly know how to call our game, if I’m being very honest,
Swoopes said.
Because we’re supposed to have that rule, where you’re not supposed to put two hands, you can’t bump them off when they’re making a move. And it’s just very inconsistent.
Referee Consistency Remains a Challenging Issue for the WNBA
Despite agreement among current and former stars like Plum and Swoopes about referee inconsistency, resolving this ongoing issue remains difficult. The WNBA’s officiating standards directly affect game flow and player safety, making consistency a critical component for the league’s credibility and fairness.
As frustration rises among players and fans alike, addressing these concerns will be essential to maintain competitive integrity and ensure that officials can fairly manage the physicality of WNBA games. Continued dialogue and potential training adjustments for referees may be necessary to bridge the gap and restore confidence in officiating quality.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Kelsey Plum get surgery?
A. Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, had a minor surgery on her right shoulder to address her labrum. She’s expected to fully recover and start training during the offseason before the 2023 WNBA season. This upcoming season will mark Plum’s sixth year playing in the WNBA.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a T-shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum not only threw the shirt a long way, but she also aimed it perfectly. The shirt landed right with her dad, Jerry. A news report even covered the event, confirming it was indeed him.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum managed to throw the shirt a long distance while also being very precise. It landed directly where her dad was standing.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw the shirt to her dad?
A. For those who aren’t aware, she tossed the shirt towards her dad, aimed at him, and threw it. He managed to catch it. Her throw is that remarkable.