The identity of the referee who didn’t call the foul on New York Liberty against Caitlin Clark has been uncovered.

In the aftermath of a controversial WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty, the spotlight has shifted from the court to the officiating crew. Specifically, attention has zeroed in on a referee who failed to call an apparent foul on Caitlin Clark during a critical moment in the third quarter. Now, that official’s identity has been revealed — and the backlash has been swift and intense.

The Moment That Sparked a Storm

During a fast break midway through the third quarter, Caitlin Clark drove to the basket and appeared to be bumped hard by a Liberty defender, with visible contact on her shooting arm. Fans at the arena and viewers at home immediately reacted, expecting a whistle. But none came. The possession ended with Clark missing the layup and the Liberty scoring on the next possession. That shift in momentum led to outrage, particularly as the Fever went on to lose by just three points.

Clips of the incident circulated rapidly across social media. Analysts pointed out that similar plays had been called fouls earlier in the game — but not this one. Given Caitlin Clark’s rising profile in the league and the national spotlight that follows her every move, the missed call became headline news within hours.

The Referee Identified

Sources within the WNBA officiating pool have confirmed that the lead official who failed to call the foul was Referee Michael Andrews, a veteran with over a decade of experience in the league. According to internal reports, Andrews was the crew chief for the game and was positioned directly in line with the play when the contact occurred.

The WNBA has not yet released an official statement regarding the situation, but insiders say that the league’s Referee Operations Department has launched a review of the incident. While missed calls are part of the game, the fact that this one involved such a high-profile player has amplified calls for transparency and accountability.

Player and Coach Reactions

Clark herself remained composed during the post-game press conference, saying only, “I thought there was contact, but I’ll leave that to the officials. We have to control what we can control.”

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides, however, was more vocal. “It’s frustrating. That was a clear foul. Everyone saw it. And when these moments swing games, you have to ask — are we protecting our players equally?”

Her comments echo a growing sentiment among players and coaches that star treatment — whether beneficial or detrimental — is creeping into WNBA officiating.

Public and Media Outrage

Fans flooded social media with criticism, some accusing the league of not doing enough to protect young talent. Many compared Clark’s treatment to that of established stars like Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart, arguing that similar contact against them would almost certainly draw a whistle.

Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in, stating on “First Take”: “If that’s not a foul, I don’t know what is. You’ve got one of your brightest young stars getting mugged on national TV and nobody says a word? That’s not just bad officiating — that’s bad business.”

The Bigger Picture

This incident is not just about a single play — it’s about how the WNBA manages its image, its officiating, and its rising stars. Caitlin Clark has become a central figure in the league’s marketing and outreach, drawing millions of new viewers. Situations like this raise concerns about consistency and whether the league is doing enough to protect its most valuable assets.

Referee Michael Andrews has not commented publicly on the incident. Whether or not the WNBA will take disciplinary action remains unclear, but if history is any indicator, the most likely outcome will be a behind-the-scenes evaluation and perhaps a quiet suspension from future games.

What Happens Next?

As the Fever prepare for their next matchup, all eyes will be on how officials handle contact involving Clark. If nothing else, this controversy has placed a magnifying glass over WNBA officiating — and the pressure to get it right is now greater than ever.