(Podcast length - 3:52 mins)
If you like being the boss, following the rules and look good in black and white stripes, then maybe a career shift is in order?
Transcript
1. While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, NBA (National Basketball Association) referees take home anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. NBA referees have the potential to make more than the highest-paid WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association - player. (Highest annual salary in the WNBA is $221,450). Refs receive bonuses for officiating playoff games and the dollar amount depends on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals). NAME YOUR PRICE
2. Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? (Okay, maybe not). It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel for work 25 days a month for eight months. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82-game season, not including playoffs. HIT THE ROAD JACK
3. Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The public report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. The refs also review tape after games to make sure they’re at the top of their game. AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR ANNUAL REVIEW WAS TOUGH
4. It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season as any athlete would and they train their brains by utilizing virtual reality. And unlike the players, referees have a vaccination mandate. GAMING THE GAME
5. Look out men, the women are taking the court, and technically, they're in charge. Danielle Scott, the daughter of a college basketball official, becomes the sixth full-time female referee this season. That's the most women the NBA has ever had on its officiating staff at one time. CLIMBING THE LADDER
Links:
Shop the swag (use promo code SPORTSCURIOUS for your reader discount)
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
