They have revealed who the official was that missed the foul committed by New York Liberty on Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA has been enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to an influx of young talent, none more impactful than Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. But with attention comes scrutiny — and this week, scrutiny turned to the officiating after a clear missed call involving Clark rocked social media and sports media outlets alike.

Now that the referee responsible has been identified, the incident has sparked a broader debate about officiating standards, fairness, and the league’s responsibility to protect its players — especially its stars.

The Missed Call That Shocked Everyone

Late in the third quarter of a closely contested game against the New York Liberty, Clark was driving to the rim when she was clearly fouled. Video replay shows Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Smith making contact with Clark’s arm as she went up for a layup — a textbook shooting foul. The referee standing just feet away, later identified as Michael Andrews, chose not to blow the whistle.

Fans immediately cried foul — literally. The play trended on X (formerly Twitter) within minutes. Sports podcasts and panel shows from “Inside the WNBA” to “PTI” debated the call for days afterward.

Who Is Michael Andrews?

Michael Andrews is not a rookie. With over 12 years in the league, he’s seen some of the biggest playoff games and All-Star matchups. But his track record is mixed. Just last season, Andrews was involved in a controversial ejection of Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young during a high-stakes playoff game.

This latest mistake could prove more damaging, given the player involved and the league’s current visibility. The WNBA relies heavily on fair play and equal enforcement of rules to build trust with fans. A missed foul on Caitlin Clark is not just a minor error — it’s a credibility crisis.

A Pattern Emerging?

Some observers have pointed out that this is not the first time Clark has received questionable officiating. Several prior games included instances where she appeared to take heavy contact with no call. Some fans are beginning to believe there’s a pattern of either indifference or resentment toward her rapid rise in popularity.

Former players have taken to social media to express concern. Sue Bird tweeted, “We need consistency. Protect all players — rookie or vet.” Meanwhile, Lisa Leslie posted an Instagram story saying simply, “Unacceptable. Period.”

WNBA’s Silence Under Fire

To date, the WNBA has remained silent on the matter. The league has a policy of not commenting publicly on officiating decisions unless a formal review leads to disciplinary action — something that happens rarely. But with mounting public pressure, that silence may soon become untenable.

Several media personalities and journalists are now calling for the WNBA to release Last Two Minute Reports (L2Ms), similar to the NBA, where critical late-game decisions are reviewed and made public. “It’s about transparency,” said sportswriter Mechelle Voepel. “You can’t grow as a league and act like this didn’t happen.”

Caitlin Clark: Grace Under Pressure

Amid the storm, Clark has handled the controversy with maturity. She refused to blame the officials directly and focused on improving her game. That approach has only earned her more fans — and further highlighted the need for the league to protect its players more proactively.

“She’s doing everything right,” said Fever teammate Aliyah Boston. “She takes the hits, gets up, and keeps going. But that doesn’t mean we should let this slide.”

Conclusion: A Defining Moment?

The WNBA finds itself at a crossroads. With stars like Caitlin Clark drawing unprecedented attention, the margin for error — especially by referees — is shrinking. Identifying Michael Andrews as the official responsible for the missed foul was only the first step. What the league does next could define its commitment to fairness, transparency, and protecting its most marketable stars.

If the WNBA wants to continue its rise, it must recognize that moments like these aren’t just bad optics — they’re threats to the integrity of the game.