One of the most fascinating sports in the modern era is the NBA. Because of its enormous fan base, the matches generate a lot of money from ticket sales, advertising, and other sources. The majority of sports fans are aware of the NBA’s elite players and their net worth. Conversely, referees are typically overlooked and their background is less recognized. What is the salary of NBA referees?
NBA officials receive a great deal of criticism when officiating games, just like referees in other sports. There is additional pressure and a larger salary associated with a high-profile match. The pay for NBA referees varies according to their experience and skill level. As a result, the basketball referee’s compensation is categorized based on their level of expertise.
The average salary for a professional referee refereeing one NBA game is $7,000. Additionally, they bring a larger bag—costing $9,000—when refereeing postseason games. Furthermore, a professional referee receives an incredible $29,000 for officiating a semifinal or final game.
Conversely, entry-level referees receive a lower salary per match, making $2000. With a match pay of $450 to $500, female referees are the least paid NBA officials. Thus, what is the annual salary of an NBA referee? Professional and junior referees earn between $150,000 to $550,000 annually, while female referees receive $16,000.
It appears that the more seasoned NBA referees receive a substantial payment for officiating a game. The highest-paid NBA referees of today are listed below.
James Capers
James Capers, who turns 59 in 2021, was born on November 8, 1961. He is a Chicago-born professional referee. He has officiated more than 1,357 games in 24 seasons during his tenure. In addition, he has managed more than 135 postseason games, ten of which have been Finals. Capers also served as an official during the 2018 NBA All-Star game. James has worked in the CBA for six years, having attended two CBA All-Star games and three CBA Finals. An NBA referee’s annual compensation is believed to be $550,000.
Sean Corbin
Sean Corbin was born in Baltimore on March 18, 1966. He played basketball at Towson Catholic High School and Coppin State University in the early years of his career. Sean has officiated 1,331 games in the regular season and 79 in the postseason.
The Boston Celtics and Vancouver Grizzlies triple-overtime game on February 17, 1999, stands out in his memory the most. The annual compensation of a professional referee is projected to be $550,000.
Tony Brothers
Tony was born on September 14, 1964, in Norfolk. As of 2021, he is 57 years old. Tony has worked on more than 140 playoff games and over 1,466 regular season games as a referee. The referee, who is in his 27th season, has also refereed 9 championship games. Brothers spent four years officiating CBA matches. At $550,000 a year, he is among the NBA’s most experienced professional referees.
Rodney Mott
Mott was born on September 3, 1957, in New Albany. As of 2021, he is 64 years old. Rodney has refereed 35 postseason games in addition to 1,255 regular season games. Throughout the course of his 23 NBA seasons, he has a solid record.
Famously, Rodney officiated the Houston 2013 NBA All-Star Game. Before coming to the NBA, the professional referee spent four years officiating in the CBA. Rodney receives a salary of $550,000 annually.
Scott Foster
Scott Foster was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, on April 8, 1967. As of 2021, he is 54 years old. Foster, an NBA referee in his 27th season, has officiated 1,477 regular-season games and 187 postseason games, including 19 Finals contests.
In addition, he was a member of the team that officiated the 1996 tour of Europe through Germany and Spain. The skilled referee has also been employed by the CBA for two years. The NBA all-star game in Arlington, Texas in 2010 was his most memorable performance. Scott receives a $550,000 season pay.
Ken Mauer
Ken Mauer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 23, 1957. As of 2021, he is 64 years old. Ken has a stellar background that includes twelve years in high school, nine years in the CBA, and nine years in college.
The All-Big Ten honoree has also refereed 218 playoff games, including 19 Finals games, and over 1,935 regular season games. The first game Michael Jordan played after his retirement was refereed by the seasoned official. Each season, he receives $550,000 in pay.
Pat Fraher
Pat was born on January 13, 1974, in Minnesota. The professional referee is 47 years old as of 2021. He has officiated 1,106 regular NBA matches. Additionally, he has worked on 51 playoff games over 18 seasons. Before joining the NBA, Fraher worked in the Women’s NBA for four years and seven years in the CBA. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and was an official in his high school days. Pat takes home a massive salary of $550,000 per season.
Tom Washington
Tom Washington was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, on December 25, 1957. In 2021, he turns 63 years old. In his thirty-first NBA season, Tom has worked on 1,629 regular matches, 172 playoff games, and four finals games.
His officiating of the 2017 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans made him renowned. Tom was a member of the officiating staff during the Tokyo 1996 Japan Games. The professional referee has five years of experience in his hometown of Philadelphia and two years in the CBA. Tom earns a whopping $550,000 annually.
Marc Davis
On December 13, 1967, Marc Davis was born in Chicago. As of 2021, he is 53 years old. Marc has over 21 years of NBA experience and has officiated 1,279 regular games. In addition, the professional referee has officiated 132 playoff games, twelve of which were in the Finals. Marc also served as the manager of the 2014 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans. He claims to have three years of CBA experience. Marc Davis received the Honorary Nate Humphries Award from the Chicago Public League Association in recognition of his induction into the Chicago Public League Hall of Fame. The native of Chicago claims to make $550,000 a year.
Eric Lewis
Eric Lewis was born in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 20, 1971, and raised there. 2021 marked the NBA referee’s 50th birthday. Eric has worked for the NBA for 17 seasons. 46 NBA playoff games and 936 regular NBA games have been officiated by him. He spent two years in the USBL and three seasons in the NBA G League before to signing with the NBA. Having officiated college basketball for eight years at Ohio Valley and Atlantic Sun, he has a remarkable resume. The NBA professional referee earns $500,000 annually. NBA referees are seldom in the limelight because most NBA stars take center stage.