Ahead of Game 5 between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever, the WNBA has decided to make an example out of Head Coaches: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota), Stephanie White (Indiana), and Becky Hammon (Las Vegas).
The conversation stemmed from Game 3 between the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, where Reeve was ejected in the fourth quarter. The WNBA issued a statement regarding the suspension for the following conduct:
- Aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court
- Failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon ejection
- Inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court
- Remarks made in a post-game press conference
Reeve was suspended from coaching Game 4 between the Lynx and Mercury.
Following the controversy on Sunday, White and Hammon were asked to share their thoughts on what transpired.
“From what I heard, she did not tell a lie. She said the truth,” Hammon told reporters Sunday morning.
Cheryl Reeve, Becky Hammon, Stephanie White Fined For Comments
Hammon went on to explain her thoughts on the foul that sparked the controversy, using an NFL analogy in regards to pass interference and the rules regarding a defenseless receiver. Her comments regarding the officiating stemmed from whether anything has changed over previous seasons.
“I mean, we could sit here and talk about this all day, and I’ll tiptoe around trying to not get fined,” said Hammon. “I think something has to change, I’ll leave it at that.”
Becky Hammon was asked postgame if A’ja Wilson is dealing with anything physically:
“I think she’s fine. I thought she got hit a lot tonight. To shoot one free throw in 38 minutes. I know they told me not say anything you know I can’t.”
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(via @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/EzIhERDz32— WNBA Today on CLNS (@WNBAonCLNS) September 27, 2025
Coach White shared the same sentiment regarding the situation.
“I think she made a lot of valid points, a lot of the same kind of conversations are happening. It’s happening from every team, from every franchise, from every coach, from every player. And I think at some point there has to be some accountability,” White said during her pregame press conference.
Coach White’s final comments that morning addressed whether any issues could be resolved.
“I think just as much as anything, and I alluded to it earlier in the year. It’s like every part of our league has gotten better, and that part has lagged behind for whatever reason. Oftentimes it’s infrastructure in terms of training, oftentimes, it’s financial. And It’s really investing in who we have as officials, and sometimes it’s manpower. Like whose coming into the program? How do we get them to stick around? How do keep them growing and getting better? Do we have more resources to support them? Do we have more resources to help whether it’s something like a replay center, when we’re not here. Those are conversations that continue to be ongoing, but I think to reiterate, the fact that our players in this league deserve growth in that area as well is important. But ultimately we all know that when you are trying to invest in an area of business or of sport or whatever, it comes down to resources, and providing the right resources, and having many resources as possible for success in those areas, I think is important.”
Coaches’ Fines Spark Officiating Debate in WNBA
The hottest topic surrounding the WNBA playoffs this season is officiating, and right now we are witnessing the tipping point. The repercussions surrounding this issue have caused outrage amongst fans, coaches, and players.
Following Game 4 between Las Vegas and Indiana, it was reported on Monday that all three coaches had been fined. The Athletic reported Reeve was fined $15,000, Hammon and White were each fined $1,000.
White was asked about the physicality in this series with Las Vegas, following the Fever’s practice on Monday, “Look, I already got fined for supporting Cheryl, which I think is crazy.”
“There’s nothing that we want more than just consistency, that’s what I would say”, White added
Indiana Fever’s Head Coach Stephanie White was fined for this: #WNBA pic.twitter.com/VlaZd7Jylk
— Isabelle (@IsabelleMM2) September 29, 2025
It is believed this is the largest fine in WNBA history for a coach or player. In other leagues, publicly speaking about officiating issues often results in punishment. The NFL and NBA are prime examples of this being a topic that is not taken lightly. Now the WNBA is headed down a path that risks the same negative spotlight other professional leagues have faced regarding officiating.
We see players and coaches calling for accountability from leadership, but each time someone speaks out, they are fined. Today the Minnesota Lynx held exit interviews, during which Napheesa Collier released a statement. In an important part of her interview she said, “seems like all of free speech is being fined right now.”
The WNBA faces several questions surrounding officiating, and now leadership. As the spotlight grows for the league, bigger issues arise, and questions need to be answered. For now, the league has made its stance clear, but for fans, players, and coaches the biggest question that needs to be answered is, “Where is the accountability?”
