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The WNBA has earned a reputation as one of the most physical women’s leagues. Be it hard screens, constant contact away from the ball, or defenders using every bit of the whistle, it has become a part of the product fans expect to see every night.
Over the years, it has become an assumption that players prefer it that way, and the physical nature of the game is just another part of the WNBA’s identity. However, four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird never saw it that way.
The Seattle Storm legend once explained that while WNBA players have defended the league’s physical style over the years, that doesn’t mean they actually want the game to be refereed that way.
Players have adapted to the whistle, not adopted the physicality
For Bird, the WNBA has always been about pace, decision-making and finding teammates rather than overpowering defenders.
Speaking during a June 2025 episode of her “Bird’s Eye View” podcast, she shared why she believes players have simply learned to adjust to the whistle they are given. The league's physical nature has never been a matter of preference.
“It's true that we have defended the physicality. It's not true that it's because we want it to be that way or like it that way. I think for a really long time, it's something we've talked about,” she said.
Bird’s opinion is indeed one to consider as someone who played 20 seasons and retired with four WNBA titles, five Olympic gold medals with Team USA and a Commissioner’s Cup during the final stretch of her career.
The 13-time All-Star said once referees establish how tightly they plan to call a game, if more contact is allowed, teams are going to take advantage.
“When the refs do ref the game and allow physicality, we're kind of just playing in it. Of course, what refs allow, you’re gonna take,” Bird continued. “And that's really what you're seeing in our game. I would argue that most players don't want it to be this physical. I was the first one with my hand up when I was playing.”
Bird also revealed there was one rule she repeatedly wanted the WNBA to revisit during her playing career.
Bird on one rule that could've made the difference
The WNBA currently allows players to commit six personal fouls before fouling out, just like the NBA. But unlike the NBA’s 48-minute games, WNBA games have four 10-minute quarters.
Bird could never see the justification behind the same foul rules. She further pointed out that international basketball and the women’s CBB games both use five-foul limits despite playing the same 40 minutes.
"I said this to multiple owners. I said this in competition meetings. I never understood why, in a 40-minute basketball game, we got six personal fouls. A lot of times, I was met with, 'Well, we don't want our star players fouling out,'" she added. "We play with five fouls overseas, we play with five fouls in college, we play with five fouls in national team play with USA basketball. So, five fouls in 40 minutes isn't something new."
She has seen game strategies change because of that one extra foul. With six fouls available, defenders have more room to be aggressive without worrying about being kicked out.
Basketball will still be a game that involves heavy contact, but reducing the limit would naturally force players to be more careful and ultimately protect the offensive players.
Then again, players like Sophie Cunningham will continue playing the role of an enforcer. And regardless of what anyone says, that's always going to be a good thing for the league.
