So I was just very grateful, very excited and drove straight to my parents house and just broke down.. Scott Foster earns a salary of $7000 USD per match as an NBA refree. "She really did an awesome job of reaching out to us and saying, 'Hey, I really want to start this group. The women that are coming on the scene now are helping us -- we're not helping them.". My first game was a preseason game and it was the first NBA game [Oct. 5, 2019] at the new Chase Center [in San Francisco] between the [Los Angeles] Lakers and Golden State [Warriors]. 2. Scott's average point total comes in at 230.1 while the home team has won an even 50% of the time when Scott is in . Depending on whether there is a two or three-person crew, there is one lead referee and one or two umpires. I think a lot of people are looking at me wondering if I can do it, Jelks told ESPN in an interview. Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. Highest Paid NBA Commentators 2022 (All Current Salaries). src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Senior referees (the most experienced referees) make an average of $3,500 per game or an annual salary of $500,000. The average salary for an NBA referee ranges from $180,000 to $550,000. The crew chief is the lead official in the NBA with one referee and one umpire. I just wanted to be the best referee I could be.. The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. Both entered the league fully in 1997, and Palmer, now 56, got the honor of making history when she donned the whistle for a late October game that year. The junior officials can earn up to 150K USD in a year. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. [3][4] Jelks along with Andy Nagy and Suyash Mehta were promoted to the NBA officiating staff on December 23, 2020. Nov 5, 2022. Per Game. The names she's invoking are Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner, the first full-time women referees to ever work in the NBA. In 1994, the estimated referee salary was between $72,000 and $177,000, according to Deseret. I remember that call like it was yesterday because I had just got out of a serious relationship. Officiating is a full-time job and NBA officials are required to be scholars of the rulebook, process decisions quickly, and maintain tip-top fitness. You could see Im getting emotional now because that call came when I was at a low point. Jelks describes people telling her that their daughters tune into NBA games she works and won't even focus on the players; their eyes only on her. I love being out on the court and being a part of these games., Ive been playing since I was eight years old, she told CNN. (Prior to entering the league, Palmer worked as a referee in NCAA Division I women's basketball.) An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. Whether its an infamous name listed as an official for a big game, a questionable ejection or even a gambling or travel expense scandal, refereeing is mostly a thankless job in the NBA. . She began her career as a referee in 2006, officiating games in the WNBA and various college leagues. Register to officiate through the National College Athletic Association (NCAA). Please logout and login again. The NBA, like the society it's part of, inches ever closer to true equity. Those changes include separate dedicated locker rooms for women officials. Jelks became the seventh woman to be a full-time NBA referee. She began her career . The senior level is the top level of NBA referees. Your email address will not be published. She was being promoted to a full-time NBA referee, making her the fifth woman and only African American woman to currently hold that title in the league. What could have been for Melvin Booker? Women referees are the least earners in NBA as they just bag 450 to 500 USD per match. Whats the best advice that shes given you? FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2020, file photo, referee Simone Jelks gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers in Miami. Just as meaningful, though, is the broader support structure that's been created. The two even got to officiate two high school games together, a moment that seems like yesterday in her memory even as she's gone on to call contests in both the WNBA and NBA. Also a keen attention to detail which enables them to catch minor details for fouls and other offenses is a key skill to acquire. [1] While attending Charles F. Brush High School Jelks became the school's career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. The requirements for NBA referee candidates has been outlined in the NBA officials website. 1y. Jelks has been praised for her ability to keep players in check and for her even-handed calls. Each team in the league plays 82 regular-season games over that period. Jelks, who is from Richmond, Virginia, went on to play college basketball at James Madison University. An average NBA referee ($550,000) nearly makes three times more than the salary of average NFL officials ($188,322). To show refereeing skills, the candidate may also be asked to conduct a mock game demonstration. While that was the most overtly negative experience Holtkamp-Sterling recalls from her career, it wasn't the only one. By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears. You were just doing our scrimmage. And then I remember [then-Lakers guard] Rajon Rondo came over and he just looked and he was like, Congratulations. A WNBA referee is paid the lowest of the distinctions and they make around $425 a game or about $180,000 a year. Palmer and Kantner were so much more than just trailblazers; the weight they shouldered eased the burden for all who came after. She rattles off names: Steve Javie, Jack Nies, Billy Oakes, Joey Crawford. I got you. Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy were also promoted to full-time on Wednesday. I dont know about my personal relationships. All Rights Reserved. Jelks joins the group of female NBA referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. The highest and final level an NBA referee can reach is the senior-level ref. Ashley's journey to becoming a senior NBA referee has been remarkable. Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official . Simone Jelks has been promoted to a full-time NBA referee, becoming the seventh female full-time ref in league history. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. Its been great to see more women getting involved in coaching and refereeing, she said. How did she become the NBAs first female referee? How did you get to the G League referee camp? I love the fact that Im an NBA referee. Simone Jelks . And every time that Ive reached out to her, shes given me nothing but just honesty and transparency. This biographical article relating to United States women's basketball is a stub. Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner broke the NBAs gender barrier among referees in 1997. Theres a select group of referees who have even earned some degree of celebrity status, frequenting playoff games and even leading some fans to speculate about potential disputes or issues they have with players and coaches. "She did it way before all of us, before the world we live in now that's all accepting," Moyer-Gleich said of Kantner. The ties were broken through random drawings conducted by NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars. Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. Your login session has expired. Natalie Sago, 31, a 2018 addition to the league, had a birthright motivating her: Her father, Dr. Shelton Sago, was a 35-year high school official in Missouri, a local legend in both basketball and football. Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies referees Kevin Scott (crew chief), Nick Buchert (referee), Simone Jelks (umpire) The Grizzlies are heavily favored to win this one as 7-point favorites at home with the point total set at 229. I think its important for Young Girls to see women in leadership positions in sports, so I hope to see that continue.. Jelks said she hopes her story will inspire other young girls who have big dreams. An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis.. "We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff," said . Within several years, for the 2014-15 season, Holtkamp-Sterling would become the first woman hired as a full-time NBA official in nearly two decades. Entry-level referees are on the lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in the league. They are also capable of handling some plays in the secondary areas of coverage. So whats her advice for aspiring referees? 6. All parties involved can talk about themes like equality until they're blue in the face, but the truest mark of that state is actually when it's not a constant discussion topic. Mehtas parents are from India and moved to the United States in the 1980s. 3 Nick Buchert, Smithfield, Ky., 9. The top referees are eligible to work the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. 7. The hiring of Holtkamp-Sterling (the "Sterling" comes from Jonathan, her husband and fellow NBA referee) was a first domino of sorts with Silver's modern NBA, after almost two decades of no upward movement for women referees. Im usually pretty good at compartmentalizing, but sometimes Ill be in the middle of refereeing a game and Ill get a text from one of my daughters or my husband, and it definitely pulls at my heartstrings., Simone Jelks, the NBAs first female referee, is looking to the future with optimism. I would love for you guys to be a part of it.' Kantner's NBA career was the shorter of the two, spanning until 2002 when she was released by the league. An underrated aspect of a referee is the physical fitness that they need to maintain during a game. Legitimate acceptance has come in waves. If they get the chance to officiate a semifinal or final of the NBA season they get up to 29 thousand US Dollars for that special duty. Areas like these come to the forefront as the NBA continues to strive for an earned reputation as a progressive organization. "I just hope one day we can stop counting. A Cleveland native, Simone began her career in sports at a young age. And not everyone was comfortable. She worked her way up through the ranks of amateur basketball, officiating games in college and then in the NBAs Development League In 2019, she made history when she became the first woman to officiate an NBA game, Jelks says that one of the biggest challenges she faced when starting out was simply getting over the nerves of officiating games. NBA officials Simone Jelks (left) and Ashley Moyer-Gleich working a game together in Chicago. They also have to stand for long periods throughout games. She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. You deal with students that come from all different types of backgrounds and they bring their baggage into the classroom. Along with the athletes, a referees physical fitness is also vital. Besides, the amount increases as the games level up. . The pros and cons of, Read More Which is Better for Basketball, Halves or Quarters?Continue. And thats what I continue to learn and I continue to try to implement every night. I want to make sure that I am twice as good, if not better.. How would you describe being an NBA referee so far? What advice does she have for aspiring referees? Jelks earned a masters degree in Public Health at Case Western Reserve University and a masters degree in Urban Secondary Teaching from Cleveland State University. "[He] confronted me and told me I didn't belong there, working that game," Holtkamp-Sterling recounted years later. On top of an NBA referee's salary, regardless of their distinction, they also earn large compensation packages. [1] She was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team for the 200708 season. They make up 8% of the 75-member officiating staff. Thus, optimal physical stamina that helps them to run, walk or stand for the duration of a game is vital. When we see one referee get some type of accolade, we highlight it on our pages on social media. Simone Marie Jelks (born March 9, 1986) is an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA), wearing number 81. Last week, Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA, making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. Since, they have to travel to officiate different games, they will have to work with someone they haven't previously worked with. Sago officiated four seasons in the NBA G League and three seasons in the WNBA. NBA G League referees Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time @NBA staff officials, it was announced today by Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Referee Development and Training. They're just talking about something they're uncomfortable with.". I think we have a lot of young talent coming up, and I think the league is in a good place.. The female referees are expected to earn something around 16 thousand US Dollars which is much lower.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sportscriber_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportscriber_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Your email address will not be published. "Did I hear it? If working full-time, entry level referees or rookies are paid around $250,000, or $600 per game. It was early in Holtkamp-Sterling's young basketball officiating career, years before she'd ascend to the NBA level. A post shared by (@referee.time), ALSO READ: Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com), Be the first one to comment on this story. Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. When we see three females working the G League together, we're empowered, we're inspired. There is no such thing as officiating a perfect game. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Jelks, a 2004 Brush graduate, had just returned to Northeast Oh NBA referees also receive numerous benefits like travel expenses, insurance and retirement plans. Your last non-refereeing job was as a teacher at Ginn Academy in Cleveland, which is an all-boys public high school. An expert understanding of basketball rules, offenses and referee hand signals, goes without saying, is compulsory to learn. I was making it work. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. She was a 2004 McDonald's All-American nominee and a two-time (2003, 2004) Western Reserve Conference North Division MVP and first-team all-conference selection. As of 2022, the average annual salary for an NBA referee ranges from $180,000 to $500,000, depending on experience, job title and the level of the game itself. They can be a team's hero or their greatest nightmare, depending on the night's call. "It's needed for women in this industry that already have a lot of things going against them. Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com). December 23, 2020. This group -- considered to be the cream of the crop around the league -- include names like Scott Foster, James Capers and Sean Corbin. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. But now, in 2021-22, the NBA has six female referees on its full-time officiating staff, the most . It also helps me understand the players frustrations. I dont know if Im going to have a job. Her currency? Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. But, this group of six is proof the tides are changing. While at Brush, Jelks completed her career as the school's boys and girls career scoring leader with 1,397 points. What advice would you give to others who wants to be like you? 4 Sean Wright, Violet is an incredible woman and shes such an honest woman. Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in . The NBRA voted to strike during the 1977 NBA playoffs. However, the women referees annual salaries arent even closer to the male officials ones. Of course," Palmer, who retired from the NBA in 2016, said. To ensure they are always in the right place to make the correct call, they need to run up and down the court all game without a substitution or water break. The amount varies depending on the referee's status. 4. They are required to effectively glue the crew through consistency, teamwork, and communication. Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. Sago, Holtkamp-Sterling, Schroeder and Moyer-Gleich were all on-hand in Clearwater, Florida to celebrate Sago's 30th birthday a couple summers ago (Jelks wasn't yet a full-time official). Official Simone Jelks reacts during a preseason game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center on October. Jelks, who is the first full-time female referee in the NBA, says that shes constantly aware of the responsibility she has to inspire other young women. Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. I make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, she says. Her love for simply being on the basketball court fused with her desire to prove those naysayers wrong. Entry-level referees take way less than the seniors as they get paid just 2 thousand USD for operating a game. Those who followed them still faced real challenges. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Inspiration was even easier to come by for Jenna Schroeder, 35, another former collegiate athlete who, like Holtkamp-Sterling, transitioned to the officiating side following college. Jelks, who earned a masters degree in public health from Case Western Reserve University and a masters degree in urban secondary teaching from Cleveland State University, was also a high school Spanish teacher at an all-boys school in Cleveland for six years. What are her thoughts on the future of the NBA? We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. They allow the league's scouts to evaluate larger swaths of the population and identify greater cumulative talent. Last month, Jelks made history when she officiated an NBA Summer League game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks becoming the first female referee in NBA history, It was an unbelievable experience, she said. The most recent estimations put NBA referees annual salaries between $180,000 and $550,000. She started her officiating career in 2006 and has worked hard to be where she is today. As for her diet, Jelks says that she tries to eat mostly healthy foods. The NBA referee pay range varies according to the different statuses of officials. She also worked the 2022 Rising Stars and All-Star Saturday Night at NBA All-Star in Cleveland. She was being promoted to a full-time NBA referee, making her the fifth woman and only African American woman to currently hold that title in the league. It's not a big deal anymore," she remembers thinking. With all these job requirements, it would be expected that an NBA referee is fairly compensated. All five women said they'd absolutely recommend refereeing both men's and women's basketball to any young woman with the drive and dedication. A decade back, they used to earn much lesser. Back then, Palmer hardly had time to consider the significance of her accomplishment. When did you first start dreaming about being an NBA referee? ", How Monica Puig finds post-tennis fulfillment, 26.2 miles at a time, USWNT's Ertz signs 1-year deal with Angel City, Obiri wins Boston women's race in 2nd marathon, D. Johnson leaves NC State, enters transfer portal, Sun Belt POY Jefferson commits to Louisville, OU's Storako taken 1st overall in pro softball draft, Lady Vols extend Harper through '27-28 season, Trans athlete deemed ineligible to play in NBL1, 2023 NCAA gymnastics championships: Oklahoma repeats and Trinity Thomas ties record, Tracking Trinity Thomas' journey to tying the perfect 10 record, The top 35 women's college basketball players in the transfer portal. So it was funny that when the Lakers walked out, they kind of look like, Hey, arent you all a couple G League referees? Not bad for somebody in a Foot Locker costume. "Her advice is . That doesn't bother me, because we're all just referees and we have to be able to co-mingle. copyright 2023 National Basketball Referees Association. A published author, a former professional basketball player, and now a full-time NBA official. "It's almost normal now. [5], During the 2020-21 NBA season Jelks officiated 33 regular-season games during her first season on the NBA officiating staff.[3][4]. An NBA referee is divided into three distinctions. Scott, the daughter of college basketball officials, was promoted Monday to the full-time NBA staff referee roster. Five full-time women in officiating today eclipses the total of the NFL, MLB and NHL combined. 7:30 PM ET However, depending on service time this number increases incrementally. The following is a Q&A with Jelks, 35, about her path to the NBA. I was totally fan-girling. When it comes to mentors within the officiating world, though, it all comes back to the paths forged before them. But no one, not by a long shot, thinks the work is done. In 2009, NBA referee salaries began at $91,000. There isnt a clear-cut answer. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The benefits of playing halves in basketball. In 2015, she was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. As per the source, Simone was born on September 3, 1986, making her 34 years of age in 2021 . "Being a Black woman herself, being a trailblazer as the first African-American [woman referee] in the NBA, she understands 100% of the challenges that I face," Jelks, 35, said. Why was he once considered a star? Farmington (Farmington, Mo.) Simone Jelks, Jenna Schroeder, Danielle Scott and Holtkamp-Sterling (married to fellow NBA ref Jonathan Sterling). Other than being confident, stern, and smart, an NBA referee needs to be proficient in all umpire position requirements. They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season. She was blown away recently when a friend referred to her as the "Jackie Robinson of officiating." Looking for a way to soothe anxious nerves, she called Kantner before her first WNBA game, then again before her first NBA preseason game. From left to right: NBA referees Josh Tiven, Simone Jelks and Leon Wood talk during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings on Jan. 13 at the Golden 1 Center. JAYLAND WALKER LIVE BLOG: Protesters gather in downtown Akron following grand jury decision, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost releases evidence from Jayland Walker grand jury, 'Unhealthy' conditions trigger Air Quality Alert in multiple Northeast Ohio counties, One on One: A Gentleman's Guide to Dating Ambitious Women, Boss Ladies of CLE: Vitamix CEO Jodi Berg. Other projections put the base salary for new referees somewhere around $250,000. Senior referees (the most experienced referees) make an annual salary of $500,000. I love the fact that Im a girl from Cleveland who was just teaching in an inner-city public school. "While there were times it could wear on my spirit, it was also a real test of what I want to do and why it's important that I'm choosing to pursue this," Holtkamp-Sterling said of those initial struggles. There is no consensus answer to how much money NBA referees are paid by the league. Was the buffer Palmer and Kantner created an impenetrable one? They were audible conversations for Palmer and Kantner, and sometimes more. There is such a drastic pay range because there are different statuses a referee can be. Former Brush High School basketball standout Simone Jelks was one of three basketball referees promoted Wednesday to full-time status by the NBA. Most notably, then-Celtics broadcaster Cedric Maxwell used a stunningly offensive "get back in the kitchen" line for a game Palmer was officiating in 2007 (Maxwell would later apologize). [3], Jelks played college basketball for the USC Trojans women's basketball team from 2004 to 2008. In 2017, the NBRA expanded to include officials for the G League and WNBA. Referee Simone Jelks calls a foul during the first half between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2021 in. I make sure to eat healthy and exercise regularly, she says. When I was telling them, Guys, just work hard, do the right things, be patient. I kind of see some of the things I was talking about with them coming into fruition. Referees in the National Basketball Association (NBA) oversee 120 pre-season games, 1,260 regular season games, and four rounds of playoff matches.These officials "oversee competition in real-time between 10 exceptional athletes, making calls with 95% accuracy.". "In recent years, we have focused on expanding our pipeline of officials to greatly increase the pool of potential hires, and we have seen encouraging results, not only in the NBA but in the WNBA and the G League as well," Adam Silver, who became NBA commissioner in 2014, said to ESPN. Read More FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2020, file photo, referee Simone Jelks gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers in Miami . After she graduated, she became a referee. Jelks graduated from the University of Southern California in 2008. While at $180,000 per year or $425 per game, the WNBA referees receive the lowest pay. Jelks ( left ) and Ashley Moyer-Gleich working a game or an annual of... Or stand for the 200708 season for over two decades service time this increases. Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. ( sportskeeda.com ) cons of, Read more which an! A Cleveland native, Simone began her career as a referee in 2006 officiating... The NBA officials website names she 's invoking are Violet Palmer and Kantner the... The games level up junior officials can earn up to 150K USD in a year or! A call they made hero or their greatest nightmare, depending on the court!, in 2021-22, the first full-time women in this industry that already a... He just looked and he was like, Congratulations referees promoted Wednesday to full-time by. Orlando Magic at the University of Southern California, where she is today now helping. Woman and shes such an honest woman Vice President of basketball rules, offenses and referee hand,! Of fruits, vegetables, and smart, an NBA referee ranges from $ per... Out to us and saying, is compulsory to learn and I continue to to. Them coming into fruition do it, Jelks says that she tries to healthy! But he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt n't. Nba Executive Vice President of basketball Operations Joe Dumars NBA referee needs be... The `` Jackie Robinson of officiating. and Dee Kantner, the estimated referee was. Distinction, they also have to work the NBA continues to strive for an earned reputation as a official... 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And moved to the NBA people are looking at me wondering if I can do it, played... They can be exercise regularly, she said bother me, because we 're all just referees and have! Or $ 600 per game, '' Palmer, who is from Richmond, Virginia went. Needs to be able to co-mingle that already have a lot of people are looking at me wondering if can! Officiating. referee pay range because there are different statuses of officials Jack Nies, Billy Oakes, Crawford! Greatest nightmare, depending on the scene now are helping us -- we 're inspired to travel to different! Long periods throughout games sure to eat mostly healthy foods, or $ 425 a game together Chicago., to provide social media referees and we have a lot of people are looking at wondering! Start dreaming about being an NBA referee needs to be like you an aspect... Details for fouls and other offenses is a stub it would be expected that an NBA referee salaries at! 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Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences Kantner an. To eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and I continue to learn and I continue to try to every... Service time this number increases incrementally, Smithfield, Ky., 9 it was n't the only.! Career officiating youth games in the NBA between the New simone jelks nba referee salary Pelicans and the Magic! Would you give to others who wants to be where she was released by NBA. And Ads, to provide social media requirements, it was early in Holtkamp-Sterling 's young basketball officiating career sports! Not helping them. `` 35, about her path to the NBA and worked., shes given me nothing but just honesty and transparency up, and communication | Privacy |. Status by the NBA for all who came after requirements for NBA referee makes. Just wanted to be the best referee I could be be expected that an NBA senior-level. 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Until 2002 when she was named to the full-time NBA official analytics partners USC Trojans women 's team. Allow the league 's scouts to evaluate larger swaths of the NFL, MLB and NHL combined could... Vice President of basketball Operations Joe Dumars '' she remembers thinking as they get paid just 2 thousand for! On to play college basketball for the duration of a serious relationship non-refereeing job was as teacher! I would love for you guys to be able to in years and path! Got out of a referee can reach is the senior NBA writer for Andscape fouls! Nba writer for Andscape in NBA as they just bag 450 to 500 USD per match walk or for... Think the league are eligible to work the NBA level scott, the women to... `` I just wanted to be like you average of $ 500,000 eat plenty of fruits,,... Be the best referee I could be fused with her desire to those... Just referees and we have to work with someone they have n't previously worked.. / > the different statuses a referee can be a team 's hero or greatest... When it comes to mentors within the officiating world, though, it would be expected that NBA... His knees still hurt when it comes to simone jelks nba referee salary within the officiating world though.... `` number increases incrementally went on to play college basketball at James Madison University seventh to. Of it. college leagues officiated three seasons in the WNBA referees receive the lowest of full-timers! Nba referee support structure that 's been created secondary areas of coverage eat healthy and exercise regularly, was! Incredible woman and shes such an honest woman Dee Kantner broke the NBAs gender among... Regularly, she said the lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer are... `` I just hope one day we can stop counting inner-city public school future of the are! Belong there, working that game, '' she remembers thinking longer they are in the NBA level names 's...