Being a referee in the NBA is no easy feat. But the job certainly has its perks with the remuneration.
NBA referees often find themselves at the centre of all the attention on a basketball court. This is primarily because they have the pivotal task to make important calls in hostile environments.
There are a total of three on-court officials assigned to each NBA game. All of those officials have different titles and sets of responsibilities. The three referees are referred to as the crew chief, referee, and umpire.
The job of an NBA referee requires nerves of steel and a calm head. The refs are responsible for millions of fans relying on them to make the right calls. So, how much do NBA referees make in a year?
How much does an NBA referee make? NBA referee salary and bonus
The NBA has not publicly released the salary it pays to the referees. However, according to reports from Careertrend, the average income of an NBA referee may range between a lucrative $180,000 and $550,000 per year.
It is reported that the average pay for a referee in the NBA might reach up to $10,000 per game in the first several rounds of the playoffs as well. The salary for a referee can also climb up to $30,000 per game at the NBA Finals.
The salary and pay scale of referees also vary depending on the experience of an official. Certain NBA refs who have been in the league longer can demand a higher package.
What qualifications do you need to become an NBA referee?
To become an NBA referee, one must complete having a high school diploma and then begin working for youth basketball leagues.
After registering for work at either NCAA or G-League basketball tournaments, you can begin climbing up the ladder for further success.
In order to be recognized by the multi-billion dollar league, you need to have sharp attention to detail and be able to call games fairly as well. The NBA will always look to hire the best officials in its ranks.
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