The 2024 WNBA season ended in historic fashion with the season final. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 3-2 in epic fashion, taking game five in overtime by a score of 67-62, becoming the last remaining original franchise to win the title. This season truly raised the norm of the WNBA and its media presence, led by a star-studded rookie class including the likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and countless others. This year saw a 413% increase in WNBA social media engagement, a season long viewership growth of 170% from the previous season and had the most viewed finals in 25 years, including an increase in viewership by 115% from the 2023 finals. It truly was a record-breaking campaign, one that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

However, what was supposed to be a celebratory ending to a monumental year was shrouded by controversy. My hometown team, the Minnesota Lynx, were robbed of their fifth ring, and the whole world got to see it. In the correct universe, Game 5 ends 60-58, the Minnesota Lynx win, and I do a victory lap around the Piedmont campus. Instead, the refs not only made a phantom foul call to give Breanna Stewart two free throws to tie the game up, but missed an egregious travel by Stewart just a second before.

Now, I ref basketball as a side gig, and usually don’t jump on WNBA, NBA or NFL officials’ necks as quickly as most fans. However, I cannot sit back and let this slide. This series was covered in filthy refball, and in Game 5 the Lynx did not attempt a free throw in the entire first half, and the final disparity was 25-8 in favor of the Liberty. Napheesa Collier attempted 21 two-point field goals and attempted zero free throws. I have never seen a star player get that bad of a whistle before in any professional league.

Game 3 was officiated one-sided as well, in favor of the Liberty. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve complained about the officials after the game, and guess what happened in Game 4? The game was officiated in favor of the Lynx. Of course, this prompted Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello to complain about the officials as well, and the result was the disaster-class of a performance by the refs in Game 5. Instead of social media praising the finals champions, the ref show took over my Instagram and Twitter feeds, and distracted the audience from what we should be celebrating: the New York Liberty.

I extend my congratulations to the New York Liberty, and I am happy they won a ring, even if it came at the expense of my team’s success. I have high hopes for the 2025 WNBA season, especially with the new expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries. This season set a strong, firm foundation for the future of the WNBA, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. I have officially moved past this traumatic experience, and I know my Lynx will make a return to the finals in the near future