The WNBA is once again under fire for what many say is a lack of consistency in officiating. And this time, it centers around a hard foul that led to an ejection.
During Sunday’s heated game between the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces, Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün was ejected late in the second quarter. She delivered a shoulder to the upper body of Jewell Loyd, a move deemed a flagrant-2 foul. Officials wasted no time ejecting Salaün, but what followed was an eruption of debate across social media.
While some fans called the decision fair, others questioned why similar or worse incidents haven’t drawn the same penalties. Particularly when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is involved.
“No consistency in this league at all,” one fan wrote, referencing a July 17 clash when Marina Mabrey of the Connecticut Sun shoved Clark during a timeout. Mabrey was only given a technical foul and stayed in the game.
Another user pointed out, “Weren’t they doing this to Caitlin (Clark) all of last year? And not even calling them fouls.”
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This growing frustration has placed the spotlight squarely on league officials. Fans and analysts say it’s not about whether Salaün deserved the ejection, it’s about the inconsistent standards being applied across the league.
Earlier in Sunday’s game, Salaün and Loyd had exchanged words, hinting at escalating tensions. That context, combined with Salaün’s wind-up and contact near the neck helped justify the ejection. But critics argue that if similar fouls aren’t being called when Clark is involved, it sends a message about selective enforcement.
As physicality remains a hot-button issue in the WNBA, coaches, players, and fans continue to call for fair and uniform rule enforcement. Without that, each no-call or ejection risks deepening distrust in the league’s judgment.
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