The 2025 WNBA season has been marked by an ongoing wave of criticism directed at officiating. Week after week, players, coaches, and fans have voiced frustration over what many perceive as inconsistent and poor refereeing.
Among the most outspoken has been Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who rarely misses an opportunity to point out what she considers unfair treatment on the court. This time, however, her complaints found a powerful echo in a well-known media figure: former sports host Joy Taylor.
During the latest edition of The Pre-Game, a show hosted by Kyla Nicole and aired on Saturday, October 4, Taylor didn’t hold back. Aware of the influence her voice carries in sports media, she took a firm stance on the issue, stating that the league’s product and reputation are being damaged by a lack of officiating consistency.
The product is suffering because of the lack of consistency in the officiating.
She went on to emphasize how widespread the concern has become:
It has been something that they’ve complained about, the players have complained about, the coaches, fans, everybody, media. I’m glad that she did that one because she is a pillar of the WNBA.
Taylor also praised Collier’s leadership and courage in publicly confronting the problem:
She’s (Napheesa Collier) one of the best players in the league, she’s a premier player, and while she may not be a household name for people that are new to the WNBA, within the sport, she’s well respected. Absolutely. And it takes courage to go out and do that because she’s calling out the commissioner. That’s not a small thing that she did. That’s amazing.
Her comments referenced Collier’s bold remarks from earlier this year. In February, the Lynx forward revealed that she had personally discussed officiating concerns with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, only to receive a dismissive reply that drew widespread backlash.
This past February, I sat across from [Engelbert] and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league.” … “Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complain about the refs.’
Those words reignited debate within the league about accountability and the need for higher officiating standards. Collier’s willingness to speak out has turned her into an unofficial spokesperson for players seeking fairer treatment and transparency from league officials.
Joy Taylor also comments on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show
During the same appearance, Joy Taylor shifted gears to address another trending topic-the announcement that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show. As always, Taylor mixed humor with admiration when speaking about the Puerto Rican superstar.
I love Benito (Antonio Martínez Ocasio AKA Bad Bunny),” she said, laughing. “I will ruin my life for Benito. He can ruin my life. He can take all my money, my car. Like, what do you need? You need shoes? Do you want me to buy you dinner? He’s so hot. I don’t actually think he does give bisexual. I think he gives Prince.
With her candid opinions, Taylor once again proved she’s unafraid to speak her mind, whether it’s about controversial WNBA officiating or pop culture’s biggest icons.
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