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Morning Edition

September 22, 2025

College football’s officiating woes continue to mount, with a major missed call raising questions about consistency and accountability.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

SEC Officiating Error Latest Misstep in Rough Season for CFB Referees [[link removed]]

The Oklahoman

Another officiating error over the weekend marked the latest speed bump in what’s been a rocky season so far for college football referees.

After Oklahoma’s 24–17 victory over Auburn on Saturday, the SEC announced that the game’s officiating crew missed an illegal “hideout tactic” implemented by Oklahoma during a touchdown play in the second quarter.

On the play [[link removed]], Oklahoma wide receiver Isaiah Sategna appeared to be walking toward the sideline to be subbed out of the game, but did not exit, and caught a 24-yard touchdown pass. The SEC said the score should not have counted, and the play should have resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

“Appropriate accountability will be applied without additional comment,” a statement from the SEC said.

During the game broadcast, ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said teams “cannot use the substitution process to deceive your opponent.” After the game, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said coaches “were instructed all offseason about deception plays.” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said he interpreted the play as “good and legal.”

Nationwide Problems

Earlier this month, the Big 12 punished one of its officiating crews for an error during the Week 2 Kansas–Missouri game Sept. 6. The crew allowed a punt to occur on a free kick in violation of Rule 2 Section 16 Article 6 of NCAA Football rules. They were removed from their next scheduled assignment Sept. 12.

Meanwhile, longtime ACC referee Gary Patterson terminated his contract [[link removed]] with the conference after working the Sept. 13 Syracuse–UConn game, in which the remote ACC command center overturned a ruling on the field after a successive play had already occurred.

Sports Is Big Business

At Front Office Sports, we believe that sports is big business. That’s why we’ve trademarked the phrase and launched our new merch shop [[link removed]], where you can say it with us on your hat, T-shirt, or sweatshirt. Orders above $75 ship for free. Pass it on to a friend who also gets it: Sports is big business.

A’ja Wilson’s Record 4th MVP Sets Stage for Free Agency, CBA Standoff [[link removed]]

Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Las Vegas Aces center-forward A’ja Wilson became the first player in league history to win four MVP awards when she was announced as this season’s recipient Sunday.

Wilson, 29, receives a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co., and a $15,450 bonus that’s equal to just more than 7.7% of her $200,000 salary this season, which is tied with four other players for the 19th-highest in the WNBA. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting, is the league’s highest-paid player this year, earning $269,244.

Wilson and the Aces are matched up with Mitchell and the Fever in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs; Indiana surprised most experts by winning Game 1 of the five-game series Sunday, 89–73.

Three other WNBA players had previously won three MVPs in their careers: Sheryl Swoopes (2000, 2002, and 2005), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, and 2006), and Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007, and 2010). Wilson, an eight-year pro, also won the award in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Wilson Is Big Business

Last year, Wilson signed a six-year extension of her endorsement deal with Nike after winning her third WNBA MVP award. In May, her first signature shoe—the Nike A’One— sold out [[link removed]] within minutes of being released online. Wilson also has a major endorsement deal with Gatorade.

After the playoffs end, Wilson will become an unrestricted free agent, with plenty of leverage to seek a massive raise—and potentially become the first WNBA player to sign a $1 million contract [[link removed]]. Including her 2025 salary, Wilson’s career earnings in the WNBA sit at $1,031,642, which ranks 26th all-time.

However, as Wilson enters free agency, the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement is expiring, and it’s becoming increasingly likely [[link removed]] that a new deal won’t be reached by the Oct. 31 deadline.

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Don’t miss a beat in the ever-changing landscape of sports media. Tuned In with Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel delivers essential news, insightful analysis, and captivating conversations twice a week. Subscribe here [[link removed]].

LPGA Scraps Rain-Soaked Arkansas Event, Prize Money Reduced to $2M [[link removed]]

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The LPGA Tour was forced to cancel the remainder of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Sunday, after excessive rain prevented substantial play at Pinnacle Country Club over the weekend.

The women’s golf tournament was supposed to be a 54-hole event, with a $3 million purse, played Friday through Sunday. However, rain suspended play Saturday, and then another 3.25 inches poured down Saturday night, making the course unplayable.

On Sunday morning, the LPGA announced that it was canceling the remainder of the tournament, with only players’ 18-hole scores counting for a reduced payout. LPGA events must have at least 36 holes played to be counted as official tournaments, so there will be no points awarded to players in the season-long competition, The Race to CME Globe, which culminates with an $11 million season finale in November.

The LPGA is paying out $2 million of prize money, with $1.5 million based on Friday’s 18-hole results, and $500,000 divided evenly among all 144 players in the field—each receiving $3,500.

American Sarah Schmelzel and Japan’s Minami Katsu were tied for the lead, and each earned $183,095. Six players were tied for third at one shot back, and will receive $63,392 each: Lilia Vu, Somi Lee, Leona Maguire, Alison Lee, Carlota Ciganda, and Nasa Hataoka.

Earlier this year, the LPGA canceled the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship two months before it was set to be played in March, due to the event underwriter failing to fulfill any portion of its payment obligations to the LPGA Tour for the 2024 and 2025 events. That California tournament was supposed to have a $2 million purse, and the LPGA later sued the underwriter’s parent company [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT One Up, One Down, Two Push

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Tush Push ⬆⬇ The Eagles scored a touchdown Sunday using the controversial quarterback sneak [[link removed]] during their 33–26 win over the Rams. However, it appears the game’s officiating crew missed a false start during a Tush Push play. “It’s a difficult play to officiate,” Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira said during the network’s broadcast, echoing the sentiments of his colleague Dean Blandino [[link removed]].

Texas Tech ⬆ The Red Raiders beat Big 12 rival Utah 34–10 in Salt Lake City on Saturday, and surged to No. 12 in the AP Top 25 poll. Texas Tech was a big spender this offseason [[link removed]], signing a 2026 recruit to a $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal.

North Carolina ⬇ The Tar Heels lost to Central Florida 34–9 on Saturday, giving Bill Belichick a .500 record through the first third of his debut season in Chapel Hill [[link removed]]. UNC has lost both games it has played against Power 4 opponents, and has a bye week before hosting Clemson on Oct. 4 to begin its eight-game ACC schedule.

Caitlin Clark ⬆⬇ The Indiana Fever star said [[link removed]?] she was fined $200 for criticizing WNBA referees on social media. Clark has a deal with Nike worth a reported $28 million, on top of her four-year, $338,056 rookie contract with the Fever.

Conversation Starters New Colts owner and vice chair Carlie Irsay-Gordon was again on the sidelines with a headset during Indianapolis’s 41–20 victory over the Titans on Sunday, listening to play calls and taking notes. Check it out [[link removed]]. Eagles GM Howie Roseman watched on in the tunnel as Philadelphia blocked a Rams field goal to clinch the win Sunday after rallying from a 26-7 deficit. Take a look [[link removed]]. Stephen A. Smith says he would buy the Dallas Cowboys if he ever had the chance to, despite his disdain for the NFL team. Listen here [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks How Cheryl Reeve Turned the Lynx Into the WNBA Gold Standard [[link removed]]by Annie Costabile [[link removed]]Reeve has Minnesota six wins away from an unprecedented fifth WNBA title. Cubs Deny Using Facial Recognition Technology Alleged in Lawsuit [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Plaintiffs claim the Cubs collect biometric data without permission, which they deny. Disney Could Face Choice Between Kimmel and NFL: Sources [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Disney may have to choose between its NFL deal and late-night host. Question of the Day

Do you have faith in college football referees to properly officiate a game?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Friday’s result: 85% of respondents think President Donald Trump’s attendance at the Ryder Cup will impact that day’s fan experience.

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