League to Install Replay Center For 2027 to Speed Up Reviews

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

The W.N.B.A. will open a centralized replay center before the 2027 season to speed up and improve the accuracy of officiating decisions using expanded video technology. This move aims to address longstanding concerns about foul call consistency and enhance game integrity as the league continues to grow.

The Women’s National Basketball Association (W.N.B.A.) will launch an official replay center ahead of the 2027 season, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Monday. The new centralized facility is designed to expedite the review process for on-court officiating, addressing ongoing concerns about the accuracy and pace of foul calls and rule enforcement.

Earlier this year, the W.N.B.A. established an officiating task force to evaluate the increase in foul calls and the overall officiating quality. Despite these efforts, officiating has remained a point of contention among players, coaches, and fans. The introduction of the replay center aims to streamline video reviews and provide referees with enhanced technological support.

The replay system will be supported by new camera installations in every W.N.B.A. arena. Teams that share venues with National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) franchises already have access to such infrastructure, but this expansion ensures uniform coverage across the league. On-court referees will have the option to consult the replay center when certain review triggers arise during games. Staff at the replay center will have access to a greater range of camera angles than officials on the floor, potentially leading to more accurate and timely decisions.

Bethany Donaphin, the head of W.N.B.A. league operations, emphasized the league’s commitment to supporting all facets of the game. “As the W.N.B.A. continues its extraordinary growth, we’re committed to investing in every aspect of the game, including the technology and resources that support players, teams and officials,” she said in a statement.

The N.B.A. has employed a replay center since the 2014-15 season and also maintains a “last two-minute” report that publicly reviews every call in the final two minutes of close games. While the W.N.B.A. is adopting the replay center model, it has indicated that it will not introduce a similar public report at this time.

The implementation of the replay center represents a significant step toward leveraging technology to enhance officiating transparency and efficiency in the W.N.B.A. as the league seeks to maintain competitive integrity while fostering its continued growth.

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