WNBA to Launch Centralized Replay Center in 2027

The WNBA will establish a centralized replay center in 2027 using the NBA's Secaucus, New Jersey facility, according to commissioner Cathy Engelbert's announcement Saturday at the All-Star Game in Chicago. The league is investing tens of millions of dollars in the infrastructure, which Engelbert characterized as one of the most significant investments in basketball operations the league has made.

The replay center addresses a season marked by high-profile officiating failures. In late June, officials failed to call a foul when Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas struck Caitlin Clark in the throat. The WNBA retroactively handed Thomas a Flagrant 2 and one-game suspension for what it deemed a non-basketball act. Thomas subsequently called out Engelbert after receiving death threats, and WNBPA secretary Elizabeth Williams said players expressed to the commissioner that the backlash could have been avoided if a foul was called in the moment.

The dispute mirrors earlier controversies. Last year, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called the league's officiating crew assignment for Game 3 of the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury a failure, using profane language to criticize the decision.

Engelbert created an officiating taskforce this past offseason that included Reeve and Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello. The taskforce's work has led to an uptick in fouls this season. Brondello said in May that the league "needed to tidy up our game. It got way too physical last year."

The NBA has operated a centralized replay center since the 2014-15 season. Engelbert said the WNBA is still finalizing operational details and must install technology in all WNBA arenas before the center can begin operations. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said the new replay center will be helpful, adding: "It's good that we're implementing more resources to better our game. I know that refereeing and calls and officiating has always been a topic of discussion, and any resources that can make their jobs easier and ultimately the relationship between the player and the league and the refs, I'm all for."

Engelbert also announced Saturday that the WNBA has completed an independent investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention involving the Las Vegas Aces. The league determined there is insufficient evidence to establish a violation. The investigation began in 2024 after the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority struck a partnership paying each of the Aces' players $100,000 per year for two seasons, a sum exceeding the league minimum at the time and representing about 40 percent of the maximum salary. Engelbert said the league will continue to investigate if new evidence emerges.