Candace Parker has never shied away from addressing what she sees as shortcomings in the WNBA, and refereeing has often been at the center of her critique. The Hall of Fame forward spoke candidly once again about officiating during her Post Moves podcast, where she regularly breaks down the game with Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston.
Parker explained that what frustrates players most is not simply a missed call, but how referees respond afterward. “For me, the anger comes when the ref is just standing there waiting for the free throw while something from four possessions ago still has players hot,” she said with a laugh. She added that the officials she respects most are those who admit when they miss a call and avoid escalating the situation with a technical foul. “The ones who see you get slapped across the arms and then act shocked when you’re upset — that’s the cardinal sin,” Parker emphasized.
Although she has openly called out officials, Parker’s comments are not just criticism. She has been clear that the WNBA must actively improve its officiating standards. On a recent episode of Post Moves, when asked what she would do to fix the problem, Parker initially laughed before saying, “That’s a really good question.” She then pointed to training and accountability as essential solutions.
“I guess training, because there’s always a way to get better,” Parker said. “The NBA has developed a very transparent system for their referees, with strong training programs. But we all know those programs cost money. If the WNBA chooses to invest more in reffing, not only will they get better referees, but the quality of the games will improve too.”
The issue is not a lack of awareness. The NBA has not extended its own training program to the WNBA, despite the close connection between the leagues. For players and coaches, the request is simple: referees should be consistent and apply the same standard on both sides of the floor. While training and investment may require resources, Parker believes that creating accountability and structure would bring the league closer to that goal.
