How Much Do NBA Referees Make?
Contents
How much do NBA referees make? This is a question that is often asked but the answer may surprise you. NBA referees make a healthy salary and enjoy many perks.
NBA Referee Salaries
NBA referees are some of the highest paid referees in all of professional sports. Their salaries are based on a number of factors, including experience and the number of games they work. The average salary for an NBA referee is $150,000 per year. However, the top referees can make much more than that.
NBA referee salaries by year
The average salary for an NBA referee is $275,000. However, salaries can range from $150,000 to $450,000 per year, depending on experience and Performance-Based Pay incentives. New referees start at $150,000 and veteran referees can earn up to $350,000. The highest-paid referees can earn up to $700,000 per year with Performance-Based Pay incentives.
NBA referee salaries by position
The occupation of an NBA referee is both rewarding and demanding. Not only do they officiate some of the most high-profile basketball games in the world, but they also make important calls that can have a direct impact on the outcome of a game. With such a demanding job, it’s no surprise that NBA referees are compensated handsomely for their services.
So, how much do NBA referees make? According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an NBA referee is $150,000. However, salaries can range anywhere from $110,000 to $550,000+, depending on a variety of factors such as experience, position, and location.
Here is a breakdown of NBA referee salaries by position:
-Lead official: $375,000+
-Senior official: $325,000-$375,000
-Video assistant referee: $275,000-$325,000
-Referee: $200,000-$275,000
How NBA Referees Are Paid
NBA referees are paid a regular salary for the games that they officiate. In addition to their salary, they also receive a per diem for food and incidentals while they are on the road. The amount of the per diem varies by city, but it is typically around $100 per day. NBA referees also receive a playoff bonus, which is a percentage of their salary. For example, if a referee makes $100,000 per year, they would receive a $5,000 bonus for officiating a playoff game.
Per game
NBA referees earn a salary based on how many games they officiate. They are paid one-half of their annual salary after working 41 games, and the other half is paid at the end of the regular season. They also receive a per diems of $325 for food and incidentals for each day on the road. The average salary for an NBA referee is $275,000.
Per season
NBA referees are some of the highest-paid sports officials in the world. In 2019, the average salary for an NBA referee was $354,000 per year. The top-paid NBA refs can earn upwards of $550,000 per year. NBA referees are paid on a per-game basis and receive additional compensation for working playoffs games and the NBA Finals.
Per year
According to Sportrac, the average salary for an NBA referee is $375,000. However, this number can vary based on experience and seniority. For example, seasoned referees who have been in the league for many years can earn upwards of $500,000 per year.
How to Become an NBA Referee
NBA referees officiate games at the highest level of professional basketball in the world. They are responsible for enforcing the rules of the game and ensuring that the players and coaches abide by them. NBA referees are also responsible for making sure that the game is played fairly and safely. Becoming an NBA referee is not an easy task.
Minimum requirements
To become an NBA referee, you must first meet the minimum requirements set by the league.
You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You must also have experience officiating organized basketball games at the high school, collegiate or professional level.
Finally, you must pass a comprehensive physical examination administered by an NBA-approved physician.
Training and certification
So, you want to become an NBA referee? Great! officiating gigs at the highest level of professional basketball come with a lot of perks: good pay, interesting work, and the opportunity to see some of the greatest athletes in the world up close and personal. But becoming an NBA referee is no easy feat. In addition to having years of experience refereed high-level games, would-be NBA refs must complete a rigorous training and certification process.
The first step to becoming an NBA referee is to attend one of the NBA’s officiating camps. These week-long camps are designed to give aspiring referees an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of officiating from some of the best in the business. Attendees will receive comprehensive training on everything from rules interpretation to game management.
After attending an officiating camp, prospective referees must pass a written rules exam with a score of 80% or higher. They must also pass a physical fitness test that includes a timed run, push-ups, and sit-ups. Once they have passed these tests, they will be registered as official NBA referees and assigned to work games in the Development League, G League, or WNBA.
NBA referee tryouts
In order to become an NBA referee, you must first attend one of the NBA’s officiating camps. At these camps, potential officials are put through a series of physical and mental tests to gauge their suitability for the job.
After passing these tests, you will be placed on a list of eligible officials from which the NBA will choose its new referees. In recent years, the NBA has been accepting around 20 new officials each year from this pool of eligible candidates.
The path to becoming an NBA referee is not an easy one, but it can be a very rewarding profession both financially and otherwise. If you have what it takes to become an NBA official, be sure to attend one of the league’s officiating camps and put your name on the list of eligible candidates.