The WNBA Finals this season delivered not only nail-biting overtime drama and last-second three-pointers but also a fair share of controversy regarding officiating. While New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello voiced her frustration during Game 4, calling for fair officiating, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t hold back her disappointment, suggesting that the championship had been taken from her team due to poor refereeing. However, despite these passionate yet disregarding remarks, it appears both coaches have managed to avoid any consequences for their outspoken critiques.

Reports indicate that the league has opted not to fine Cheryl Reeve for her comments following the conclusion of the finals, which saw the Liberty clinch their first title and left the Lynx without their historic fifth championship.

After a foul was called with just 5.2 seconds left in regulation and the Liberty trailing by two, Reeve expressed her frustration in post game conference, stating that the championship was “stolen from us.” Despite her attempts to challenge the call, the review upheld the original decision, allowing the Liberty to seize the moment with crucial free throws. “It just doesn’t feel right that you lose a series with that level of discrepancy,” Reeve said.

While Reeve’s comments about the league’s officiating were pointedly critical, her rival, Sandy Brondello, echoed similar sentiments in the previous game, saying “All we want is fair, OK. So if we are getting hit, that’s a foul.” Surprisingly, the league has brushed aside Brondello’s remarks as well, allowing her to avoid any consequences for her statements.

This decision raises eyebrows, especially considering that WNBA coaches and general managers have faced fines throughout the years for publicly criticizing officiating, even though those penalties often remain undisclosed.

But one was Arike Ogunbowale being issued a fine last season for her comments during a post-game conference. “That was the worst call I’ve ever seen in my life,” she had said. Another instance of a coach being fined was back in 2006. Detroit Shock coach Bill Laimbeer had criticized the officiating during the Finals. “We’re tired of there being a double standard on the whistle,” he had remarked. The amount, however, wasn’t announced in either case. But they are usually said to be the same.

Whatever the sum though, Cheryl Reeve’s $700,000 salary and Sandy Brondello’s $500,000 salary remain untouched, leaving their combined total of $1.2 million intact and free from any penalties. But what exactly happened that led Reeve to say the championship got stolen from Lynx?

What led the Final Series to end in a controversial manner?

With only five seconds left on the clock, Leonie Fiebich passed the ball to Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, who made a fearless drive into the paint. However, the Lynx defender Alanna Smith stood her ground, ready to block the shot and protect the basket from Stewart. Despite Smith’s strong defense, Stewart took her chance. As she released the ball, Smith’s outstretched hands brushed Stewart’s wrist just before the shot went up.

Stewart missed her shot, but she managed to draw a shooting foul. The Lynx weren’t going to let that controversial call go unchallenged. Cheryl Reeve, visibly stunned, quickly contested the decision. Unfortunately for her, the referees stood by their ruling, allowing Breanna Stewart to step up and sink both free throws, which tied the game at 60-60.

The referees upheld the foul call, stating that Smith was in an “illegal guarding position”—a term not often heard in basketball discussions. This led many legends, including LeBron James to come in support of Lynx, saying it was not a foul call. Apart from that foul call, what was even more intriguing was that Stewart made a travel violation before making that attempt, which went unnoticed by the referees.

Therefore, Reeve’s frustration as the coach of the losing team was completely understandable. The league’s choice not to impose a fine on her could be a recognition that both she and Brondello raised valid points about the officiating.