‘How much do NBA refs make’ in a game or a season is something that all NBA fans want answers to. Here we look at their average salary.
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The referees might be hated or loved depending on their close-calls influencing the games. Although the NBA earns a massive fortune, the referees only receive a small percentage of it.
NBA referees earn quite well as compared to some of the other American leagues. Just like other professions. their pay scale increases with growing experience and expertise. The referees have a gruelling schedule like the players. The regular season comprises of 82 games per team.
How much do NBA referees make?
The officials in the National Basketball Association are divided into three distinctions: Entry-level, WNBA, and Senior.
NBA referees make anywhere between $250,000 and $500,000 in a year, depending on their distinction as an NBA referee. For Entry-level NBA referees the pay starts from around $250,000 for the regular season, while senior NBA officials, with more experience earn close to $500,000 in a regular season.
WNBA referees make close to $180,000 in a year, with WNBA doing everything possible to ensure parity with their male counterparts.
Members of the @OfficialNBARefs, Bill Kennedy and Scott Twardoski, delivered 100 meals to healthcare workers at @BannerHealth Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, AZ last week.
Thank you to the heroes of this crisis for all you do! @NBACares #NBATogether pic.twitter.com/WQ92NivbaI
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) April 28, 2020
Also Read: Chris Paul Blasts NBA Referee
NBA Referee Salaries during Playoff games
The best officials in the league are then selected to officiate the playoff matches. They receive an additional $800 to $5,000 per game, on top of their salary, in the postseason depending on rank.
During the playoffs, referees get more money than during the regular season. However, only senior level-experienced referees are selected for the job.
During the playoffs referees end up making in excess of $10,000/game in the first two rounds. During the semi-finals and finals, the salaries go up in excess of $30,000/game.
As with almost everything in sport and in the NBA, referees with more experience are chosen for playoff games, and hence end up earning more, depending on their rank of course.
