LASIK Takes Aim At WNBA Refs' Bad Calls With An Eye-Opening Solution

Yahoo

19-07-2025

The bad and missed calls by refs are not only getting to players and fans, but also some eye doctors.
In a humorous twist on a current hot topic, LASIK wants to help those stop those bad calls by offering WNBA referees a possible solution.
The eye surgery brand is positioning the move as a clever marketing play and a genuine solution to what fans have been calling a "vision problem" on the court.
There's Been A Lot Of WNBA Referee Talk Lately
A hot topic in the WNBA right now is bad and missed calls by the referees. Fans and players alike have been complaining about it more lately than ever.
Some players are upset about missed calls, some are angry about bad calls, and then some are even wondering why refs don't get "reprimanded for their mistakes."
During an interview with ESPN, New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud, voiced her unfiltered opinion about the topic recently.
"I also think that there needs to be [a] f-cking fine placed on referees for missed calls, right? If I can get a technical in the game for my emotions, I think the referees should be able to be reprimanded for their mistakes too," she said. "If my fines are going to be public knowledge, I think their fines should be public knowledge too."
It's important to note that the league will fine or suspend a referee for misapplication of rules, but not for a misjudgment.
LASIK Entered The Chat Offering An Interesting Solution For WNBA Refs
Joining the conversation about referee calls in the WNBA, LASIK offered an interesting solution (just in case the issue really is eyesight).
"We offer all WNBA refs LASIK for free!" they shared on social media. The LASIK website explains a little more detail about what they are offering all professional refs across all sports.
"This free offer for WaveLight, All-laser custom Modern LASIK is for professional referees and officials currently employed by the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, USNT, MLS, NWSL, and WNBA at vision centers partnered with the LASIK.com Network," the website explains.
"Applicants will undergo a thorough LASIK eye consultation to determine if they are a safe candidate for LASIK. Participation in the initiative is subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria, including but not limited to age, health status, and ocular conditions. Referees and officials must undergo a comprehensive LASIK eye examination conducted by qualified LASIK.com affiliated doctors to determine their eligibility for the procedure."
So, if the issue is actually eyesight, LASIK might be a great solution, and for free for professional refs.
Sophie Cunningham Is 'Just Trollin' About The Refs On TikTok
Indiana Fever star recently shared her thoughts on the referee calls in a savage TikTok video. Set to Sabrina Carpenter's song, "Manchild," Cunningham made sure to add "@refs" to her video while lip syncing, "Stupid? Or is it...slow? Maybe it's...useless?"
Fans took to the comments to share their thoughts.
"Start a GoFundMe for fines and say whatever you want. We got your back," one person wrote. Another added, "I'll pay your fine! Keep speaking the truth girl!"
Fans also shared how frustrating it's been with bad calls lately.
"I've never screamed at the tv so much. It's so frustrating and I'm not even the one playing! GO FEVER," one person wrote in the comments. Another said, "It's all captured on video for us to witness just how true this is."
LA Sparks Star Kelsey Plum Recently Spoke Out About WNBA Refs
Sparks star spoke out about the "consistency" of calls on July 18.
"I have no problem with the physicality. I think people are frustrated with the consistency," she said, according to Women's Fastbreak on SI. "So it's like a ticky-tack here, and then someone gets absolutely assaulted over here, and like, where's the line? And where do we call it, and why do we call it?"
She continued, "I also think too, a lot of teams specifically play me very physical, which I get...But a foul is a foul. So a foul in the first quarter is a foul in the fourth quarter. And so it's like, hey, if you're not gonna call it in the first, that's fine. But don't call it in the fourth. Or let me guard them that way that they guard me."
She also explained that the "officiating across the board" is getting people frustrated with the "lack of consistency."
Coach Becky Hammon Also Shared Thoughts About Recent Calls
It's not just the players and fans who are calling out the bad and missed calls. Coaches are jumping into the conversation as well.
Las Vegas Aces head coach recently shared her thoughts after a recent loss to the Washington Mystics.
As Hammon exited the postgame presser, she said, "Tell me how much my fine is." She spent the final minutes of the game noticeably frustrated with "awful" officiating.
"Jackie [Young] got fouled at 33 seconds [left] on that layup. No call," she said. "Meanwhile, on the other end, I would have challenged seven more calls - and won them. I have no idea what that was. Awful."