NBA referee salary: How much do NBA refs make in 2024?

NBA referee salary: How much do NBA refs make in 2024?

The NBA is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports leagues worldwide. It is home to some of the most talented athletes who engage in matches that rack up significant income through ticket sales and advertisement. But behind every great game is a referee who ensures that the game is fairly played amidst intense competition. Keen to discover the NBA referee's salary?

NBA referee salary
Referees Rodney Mott, Derek Richardson, and Scott Foster officiating different matches (L-R). Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Jared C. Tilton, Michael Reaves (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

It takes confidence, concentration, and calmness for an NBA ref to make an accurate call during a high-pressure game in the presence of raucous spectators. This job is highly criticized but well compensated. This article highlights some of the league’s highest-earning referees, known for their precision.

Highest NBA referee salary

Although most people know how much their favourite NBA star makes, little is known about how much officials make. A referee’s decision goes a long way to swinging odds, whether making a pivotal call in crunch time or ejecting a player from the court.

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In coming up with the list of highest-earning refs, various factors were considered, including salaries, level of experience, and performance.

NameSalary per year
James Capers$550,000
Tony Brothers$550,000
Scott Foster $550,000
Sean Corbin$550,000
Rodney Mott$550,000
Pat Fraher $550,000
Tom Washington$550,000
Marc Davis$550,000
Michael Smith$500,000
Derek Richardson$500,000

1. James Capers

James Capers during a 2021 game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs
James Capers during a 2021 game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: James Capers
  • Date of birth: 8 November 1961
  • Age: 62 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Capers is among the highest-paid NBA referees, with an annual salary of $550,000 and $9,000 in fees per playoff game. His career spans 1,556 regular games in 28 seasons. In addition, James has worked 178 playoff games, including 14 NBA Finals games, per his NBRA bio.

2. Tony Brothers

ony Brothers during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons
Tony Brothers during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in 2019. Photo: Rey Del Rio
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tony Brothers
  • Date of birth: 14 September 1964
  • Age: 59 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia, USA

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Tony has been an NBA referee since the 1994-95 season. In his over twenty years in the game, he has officiated in over 1,700 regular-season games, 186 playoff games, and 16 NBA Finals games. According to Sportskeeda, Brothers makes an impressive $550,000 per year.

3. Scott Foster

Scott Foster during a match between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023
Scott Foster during a match between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023. Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Scott Foster
  • Date of birth: 8 April 1967
  • Age: 57 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Foster made his refereeing debut in the 1994-95 season. In his 28th season, he had officiated 1,617 regular games and 226 playoffs. The official has also worked for two years in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Diatio AS estimates Scott Foster’s salary at $550,000 per season.

4. Sean Corbin

Sean Corbin officiating a 2024 game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors
Sean Corbin during a 2024 game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sean Corbin
  • Date of birth: 18 March 1966
  • Age: 58 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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Sean is a skilled ref and a former basketball star who played for the Coppin State University and Towson Catholic High School teams. According to his NBA bio, he refereed the 2004 Summer Olympics. Due to his 28-year experience, Corbin reportedly earns $550,000.

5. Rodney Mott

Rodney Mott during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena
Rodney Mott during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California, USA. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rodney Mott
  • Date of birth: 3 September 1957
  • Age: 66 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: New Albany, Ohio, USA

In his 23 seasons in the NBA, Mott has officiated 1,225 regular matches and 35 playoffs. His notable works include refereeing the 2013 MBA All-Star match in Houston. Rodney worked in the CBA league for four years before joining the NBA, where Pinkvilla pegged his annual salary at $550,000.

6. Pat Fraher

Pat Fraher during the 2023 game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers
Pat Fraher during the 2023 game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Pat Fraher
  • Date of birth: 13 January 1974
  • Age: 50 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Minnesota, USA

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Fraher has officiated 1,302 regular-season matches and 81 playoff games in his 23-year-old professional career. Before transitioning to the NBA, he worked in the Women’s NBA for four years and seven in the CBA. According to ClutchPoints, Pat takes home a $550,000 salary each season.

7. Tom Washington

Tom Washington during a game between the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers
Tom Washington during a game between the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Amway Center in 2023. Photo: James Gilbert
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tom Washington
  • Date of birth: 25 December 1957
  • Age: 66 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

With a career spanning over three decades, Washington has refereed 1,780 regular games and 181 playoff matches, including four NBA Finals. He was among the team officiating the 1996 Japan games in Tokyo, per his NBRA bio. Tom rakes $550,000 annually from his successful career.

8. Marc Davis

Marc Davis during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena in 2020
Marc Davis during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena in 2020. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Marc Davis
  • Date of birth: 13 December 1967
  • Age: 56 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Davis has officiated 1,503 regular and 189 playoff matches, including 20 NBA Finals. Additionally, he refereed the 2014 NBA All-Star Game and the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. In 2012, Marc was inducted into the Chicago Public League Hall of Fame. Boardroom reports his annual salary to be $550,000.

9. Michael Smith

Michael Smith during a 2022 game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings
Michael Smith during a 2022 game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center. Photo: Steven Ryan
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Michael Smith
  • Date of birth: 5 February 1955
  • Age: 69 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA

In his 31 seasons, Smith has refereed 1,711 regular games and 60 playoffs. He officiated the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in Louisiana and the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah. According to his NBA bio, the official has a decade of experience in high school refereeing. He earns $500,000 per year.

10. Derek Richardson

Derek Richardson during the 2017 NBA game action at Air Canada Centre
Derek Richardson during the 2017 NBA game action at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Tom Szczerbowski
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Derek Richardson
  • Date of birth: 3 February 1962
  • Age: 62 years old (2024)
  • Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, USA

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Derek, who makes $500,000 annually, closes the list. He has refereed 1,388 regular-season games and one play-match. Richardson spent eight years in the CBA and played basketball at Los Angeles Southwest College, earning a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

What is the highest salary for an NBA referee?

According to Techopedia, the average salary for an NBA referee ranges from $250,000 to $550,000 annually. However, this amount can change depending on years of experience, rank, and the number of games officiated.

Do NBA refs get paid per game?

Rookie officials may earn $600, while veterans may pocket $7,000 per game. In addition, when the chance comes to officiate a semifinal or a final, a professional referee gets a whopping $29,000 for that game.

Are NBA refs full-time jobs?

In the NBA, referees are full-time employees. However, at other levels, these officials could work part-time or on a game-by-game basis.

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Do NBA refs pay for travel?

NBA referees do not pay for travel. Their compensation includes a base salary, bonuses, and additional perks such as health benefits and travel allowances.

Who makes the NBA referee roster?

The NBA Referee Operations management team selects officials based on their performance during the first three rounds of the season's playoff matches.

Do NBA refs make more than NFL refs?

NBA referees earn more yearly than their NFL and MLB counterparts. This is due to the game’s popularity, which translates to the players’ and refs’ bank accounts.

The NBA referee's salary may vary depending on one’s experience officiating basketball matches. Although officials’ salaries are lower than those of players, they are still higher than average.

READ ALSO: The highest-paid athletes in the world

Briefly.co.za published an article about the highest-paid athletes in the world. Success in sports translates to huge salaries, and it is no longer a secret that professional athletes are among the highest-earning individuals around the globe.

Some athletes earn seven figures with a few hours of daily playing, guaranteed by contracts signed between them and professional sports teams. Learn more about these sports celebrities.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
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Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for five years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.

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