WNBA commissioner told to resign as Cathy Engelbert accused of Liberty bias

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been accused of bias and is facing calls to resign following some controversial calls in the New York Liberty's Game 5 championship win over the Minnesota Lynx.

The Liberty won their first WNBA title in New York on Sunday night with a 67-62 overtime win over the Lynx. However, the game had its fair share of controversial calls, leaving Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve furious .

In particular, the foul that was called on Alanna Smith in the final seconds of regulation tipped Reeve over the edge. "I saw a very physical and aggressive New York team," Reeve said. "We know this from being a part of the game for so long that sometimes, you get away with stuff when you're playing physical and aggressive, and they certainly did. It's a shame that officiating had such a hand in a series like this."

And fans aimed their frustrations at the WNBA Commissioner. "That ref really looked his ugly --- in the camera and told us ‘Alanna Smith was in an illegal guarding position’ BOLD FACED LIE!!! Fraud --- game 5! #WNBA @CathyEngelbert you need to resign!!!” one fumed.

"So rigged. Minnesota was about to win it but the refs missed that travel AND called a foul that wasn’t there. horrible officiating @CathyEngelbert step down,” another added. "Let’s fire Cathy Engelbert and improve the league," a third remarked

Engelbert has also been accused of bias after appearing to wear a New York City-inspired dress at the Liberty's trophy presentation. "I don’t want to be like this, but you can’t tell me the fix wasn’t in when Cathy is literally wearing the NYC Skyline on her dress," a viewer claimed.

"Cathy in a whole New York dress the game was over before it started," another tweeted.

In recent months, Engelbert had to apologize to WNBA players for "missing the mark" in an interview addressing abusive discourse that players experience on social media.

"I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I'm sorry," Engelbert wrote to the players, according to ESPN .

"I regret that I didn't express, in a clear and definitive way, condemnation of the hateful speech that is all too often directed at WNBA players on social media."

Engelbert will oversee the WNBA's expansion, with the Golden State Valkyries having an expansion draft later this year to determine its roster. The WNBA Finals series will also be expanded up to a potential seven games, matching that in the NBA.