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 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.
- •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.
- 1:14 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN hires former referee Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling as rules analyst for select WNBA games
"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.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- WNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 2:22 PMThe WNBA’s 19-year-old phenom went off on Wednesday night
- WNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 2:18 PMKiki Rice injury update: Tempo rookie limps off court in Liberty loss
- WNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 1:51 PMOne of WNBA’s top rookies just went down with injury
BasketballWNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 12:45 PMGrading the first month for all 15 WNBA teams- WNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 12:00 PMWNBA gameday discussion: A simple solution to the Indiana Fever’s defensive issues? More offense!
- WNBA•Jun 4, 2026, 11:58 AMLiberty fans sent a clear message to former championship coach Sandy Brondello
