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More fouls, more frustration: What’s really going on with WNBA officiating?

Following a rise in personal fouls to 41.8 per game this season, the WNBA established a specialized task force to review officiating standards and address league-wide concerns.
League officials attribute the rise to stricter enforcement of "freedom of movement" guidelines, while Sue Blauch, head of referee performance, noted the league is prioritizing consistent rule application across every game.
Technical fouls have surged 112% year-over-year, prompting Monty McCutchen, head of WNBA officiating, to analyze these trends while addressing critical feedback from head coaches and teams throughout the league.
The task force met four times during the offseason to refine protocols and utilizes a performance system to review specific plays, providing direct feedback to officials to improve accuracy.
Assessments will continue throughout the season as league leadership meets to review progress, aiming to balance player safety with the desire for a free-flowing game environment.

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