Part 5/9:
Unlike other professional sports leagues, the WNBA has traditionally operated more like a charity or a non-profit organization than a revenue-generating enterprise. Critics argue that this has contributed to a culture of underinvestment, including in officiating. WNBA referees earn a fraction of their NBA counterparts—some making as little as $16,000 annually—compared to NBA officials who earn upwards of $250,000 with veteran referees surpassing half a million dollars.
This discrepancy raises questions about whether low pay correlates with a lack of experience and competence among officials. With underpaid referees possibly lacking the training and resources available to NBA officials, officiating errors and inconsistent calls are perhaps inevitable.