Well, I'm definitely not in it for the money, but I have to admit, it's sometimes like getting paid to work out and learn at the same time.
As y'all know, I've been at this less than a month, and I probably wouldn't have done any games to this point if I didn't have a friend who's an assignor. He's given me 11 games to this point (and three more tomorrow) in the parochial middle school league he's in charge of. Usually guys in this league get scheduled to do three games in a row, so it's not at all a bad afternoon's work. Factor in that the one school I do games at is literally five minutes from my house and the other is about 15 minutes from my house, and it's very nice.
I got into this because I've been involved in lots of sports on lots of different levels (player, broadcaster, front-office guy) and thought this would be a different way to be involved, take on a new challenge, expand my horizons, and get away from the professional sports I've been around (and too close to) for years. The kids are where it's at.
So far I've
almost made back the cost of (a) the class I took, (b) the uniform, and (c) the registration fees to the state association. Not quite, but almost. Pretty soon it'll be almost pure profit and I'll be looking for that condo on Maui.
Short answer: You won't get paid much, but don't worry about it. If you get the bug, keep doing it, and the money is secondary.
Just remember not to get your picture taken with LeBron James and you'll be okay.