The term “armchair quarterback” is most often associated with football fans. It’s the idea that a person with no real expertise in a subject believes they can do it better than a professional. Think your uncle Jim, who yells at the TV every Sunday about bad playcalling. It’s not just a football phrase, though – it can apply to any walk of life, including NBA referees.
Refs play an important role, running up and down the court often unnoticed; that is, until they dare to blow their whistle. When they’re thrust into the spotlight for what someone believes is a bad call, though – and make no mistake, at least someone thinks every call is a bad call – there’s nowhere to hide.
This is perhaps more true of NBA officials than refs in other sports, with the exception of soccer. Even baseball umpires can only miss so many ball-strike calls in a 27-out game, and they don’t get incredulous faces and raised arms tossed in their direction for every single one of them.
That’s the life of an NBA referee. But are they at least well-compensated for it?
How much money do NBA referees make?
In September of 2022, the NBA and National Basketball Referees Association agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2029. Per that agreement, NBA refs earn the following salaries:
- Entry-level referees make about $250,000 per year
- Seasoned referees can make up to $500,000 per year
- Refs can make bonus money for officiating postseason games – between $800 and $5,000 per contest
Which referees did the Trail Blazers have the most success with in 2022-23?
Portland fans should be excited when they see Leon Wood’s name on the list of officials for a game.
Wood was part of the ref crew for four Blazers games last season. The team went 4-0.
The team also went unbeaten when Ashley Moyer-Gleich was on the floor (3-0).
Which referees did the Trail Blazers have the least success with in 2022-23?
On the flip side, Portland fans should not be excited to see Rodney Mott, who officiated five Blazers games last year. The team was 0-5.
PDX was 1-5 in games when J.B. DeRosa was part of the crew.