Fever coach Stephanie White fined for comments about WNBA officiating after loss to Liberty

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has been fined by the WNBA following her public criticism of officiating after the team’s narrow 90–88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24, 2025. The league announced the fine, citing violations of its policy against public criticism of officials.(New York Post, SI)

The controversy centers on the game’s final moments. With 2.9 seconds remaining, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was fouled by Indiana’s Lexie Hull, leading to two successful free throws that gave New York the lead. On the ensuing possession, Fever rookie Caitlin Clark attempted a game-winning shot but appeared to be fouled by Liberty’s Natasha Cloud. No foul was called, and the game ended with the Fever’s defeat. Clark and her teammates expressed visible frustration over the no-call .(The US Sun, talkSPORT, New York Post)

In her postgame remarks, White described the officiating as “egregious” and “disrespectful,” highlighting a significant free-throw disparity—31 fewer attempts for the Fever over recent games. She emphasized her desire for consistent officiating, stating, “We just want consistency. We’re not asking for favoritism. We’re asking for fairness” .(New York Post, SBNation.com)

The WNBA’s decision to fine White underscores the league’s stance on maintaining respect for officiating. While the exact amount of the fine was not disclosed, the league’s actions reflect its commitment to upholding its policies.

This incident adds to ongoing discussions about officiating standards in the WNBA, with players and coaches advocating for greater consistency and transparency in calls. The Fever, now 2–2, will look to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming games.(talkSPORT)