WNBA officiating faces fire as critics demand accountability after dangerous game moments.
The Indiana Fever secured an 88-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night, but the game became overshadowed by multiple heated altercations and widespread criticism of the officiating crew.
What should have been a celebration of the Fever clinching a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final instead sparked intense debate about WNBA officiating standards and player safety protocols.
Things got spicy in the Fever vs. Sun clash 👀
— BNA 🇦🇺 (@AusBballnews) June 18, 2025
After Sophie Cunningham’s hard foul on Jacy Sheldon, the game briefly turned into UFC! 🥊🔥
📹 Wnba#wnba #indiana #fever #connecticut #sun #sports #hoops #basketball pic.twitter.com/lYFnqvRJ6i
The contentious matchup featured endless scuffles, technical fouls, and multiple ejections that left fans, broadcasters, and coaches firing sharp criticism at the officials’ ability to maintain control.
Crew chief Ashley Gloss and her officiating crew faced significant criticism for their management of several pivotal moments during the game.
The tension between these two teams had been building all season, with their previous meeting resulting in Fever guard Sophie Cunningham suffering a chipped tooth and ankle injury from a hard screen.
Tuesday night’s rematch proved even more volatile, with officials struggling to contain the escalating physicality from the opening quarter.
The Fever vs. Sun Game Sparked A Firestorm As Fans Called To Fire The Officiating Crew
The officiating crew’s most criticized decision came in the third quarter when Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey knocked Caitlin Clark to the ground during a heated exchange.
The incident began when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon poked Clark in the eye while defending her, causing Clark to recoil and grab her face.
As the two players exchanged shoves, Mabrey rushed into the scrum and sent Clark sprawling to the floor with a forceful push.
Despite the apparent severity of the contact and the fact that it occurred after the initial play had ended, crew chief Ashley Gloss and her team opted to assess only a technical foul against Mabrey rather than eject her from the game.
Clark's Corner is reporting the WNBA has fired referee Ashley Gloss, who officiated the Connecticut Sun/Indiana Fever game, for ignoring Marina Mabrey’s violent foul against Caitlin Clark and not ejecting her from the game. But I don't see that confirmed anywhere else yet.
— Jassa Skott (@JassaSkott) June 20, 2025
This decision immediately fired up critics from multiple sources who demanded stronger action. In a post-game pool report, Gloss explained,
“The contact made by Mabrey did not rise to the level of an ejection. Additionally, it did not meet the criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two.”
si.com
However, this explanation failed to satisfy critics who viewed the incident as a clear example of unnecessary and dangerous contact that warranted stronger punishment.
The WNBA has revised the calls for the Fever/Sun game, but the revisions are almost as bad as the original calls. And Ref Crew Chief Ashley Gloss explanations for the original calls are absurd, make no sense. For a breakdown, see Youtube video “This referee spoke out about the…
— Scottrhawk (@Scottrhawk555) June 19, 2025
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White expressed her frustration with the officiating crew’s inability to control the game’s escalating tensions. In a post-game interview, White said,
“I think it was pretty obvious that stuff was brewing, right? When the officials don’t get control of the ballgame, when they allow that stuff to happen, and it’s been happening all season long… they got to get control of it. They got to be better.”
indystar.com
White’s criticism extended beyond the single incident, pointing to a pattern of subpar officiating throughout the season.
She emphasized that as players continue to improve their athleticism and skill level, officials must also raise their standards to match the evolving game.
The controversy intensified when the officiating crew applied what many perceived as inconsistent standards later in the game.
When Sophie Cunningham committed a hard foul on Sheldon in the final minute, officials immediately ejected her with a flagrant 2 foul.
This stark contrast in punishment for similar types of contact led to accusations of double standards and inconsistent enforcement.
Ashley Gloss, referee team leader needs to be demoted. A hit after the dead ball whistle is assault and her inaction provoke the second incident. WE ARE TIRED OF BAD REFEREES!
— Nancy (@rocketvizslas) June 18, 2025
Award-winning columnist Christine Brennan voiced her disapproval on social media, stating,
“The WNBA continues to fail to meet the moment. Terrible decision to allow Marina Mabrey to stay in the game. People are watching as never before. And this is what they see?”
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Her sentiment reflected widespread frustration among fans and media members who felt the league missed an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to player safety.
The criticism extended across social media platforms, with fans and analysts firing volleys at WNBA officials and questioning their competence. David Eickholt of 247Sports declared,
“Marina Mabrey being allowed to stay in the game further proves how big of a joke WNBA officials are. A player is holding their eye and gets thrown to the floor from the back.”
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The WNBA eventually acknowledged the controversy by upgrading Mabrey’s technical foul to a flagrant 2 the following day, along with a $400 fine.
This retroactive action, while addressing the incident, also served as an implicit admission that the on-court officiating crew had initially made an incorrect call.
Coach White’s observation that “everybody’s getting better, except the officials” resonated with many who have noticed similar issues throughout the season.
As the league continues to grow in popularity and attract new audiences, the pressure on officials to make correct calls in high-stakes situations has intensified.
The controversy surrounding Ashley Gloss and her crew’s performance has fired up discussions about potential reforms to officiating training and evaluation processes.
With calls for accountability growing louder, some critics have even suggested that officials who consistently make poor judgment calls should face consequences, including the possibility of being fired from their positions.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Caitlin Clark hit a clutch three-pointer late in the game. She made a shot with just under four minutes left that put Indiana up by 20 points.
- The WNBA upgraded Marina Mabrey’s technical foul to a flagrant 2 the day after the game.
- Sophie Cunningham had previously suffered injuries against Connecticut.
