League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling joins ESPN as WNBA rules analyst for select games

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 1:14 PM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling joins ESPN as WNBA rules analyst for select games

Summary

Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling will serve as a rules analyst for select WNBA games on ESPN this season. A former referee and one of the first female officials in the NBA, she brings her officiating experience to provide real-time analysis on rules and officiating decisions. Holtkamp-Sterling aims to enhance viewers' understanding of the game, explaining calls and the rationale behind them. She will work from ESPN's Connecticut studios and begin her role with a doubleheader this weekend. Officiating has faced scrutiny in the WNBA, prompting the league to form an officiating task force in the offseason to address concerns about physicality.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Holtkamp-Sterling is a former WNBA referee and NBA official.
•She retired two years ago due to knee issues.
•She will analyze officiating calls and rules interpretations.
•Holtkamp-Sterling begins her role with a doubleheader on Saturday.
•The WNBA has formed a task force to address officiating concerns.

Latest Updates

1:14 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN hires former referee Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling as rules analyst for select WNBA games

What they're saying

"
Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling is getting back into basketball, this time going behind the microphone. The former referee, who was the third female official to work in the NBA, will be a rules analyst for ESPN during select WNBA games this season. Holtkamp-Sterling retired from officiating two years ago because of knee issues.
— Yahoo Sportsby DOUG FEINBERG

Related Teams & Leagues

WNBA Basketball