[mbyron]

Actually, you could make a Title IX case here: if better officials do not work girls games, then it would seem that the girls have been "excluded from participation in, [been] denied the benefits of, or [been] subjected to discrimination under [an] education program." The schools and assignors could be held liable, even though officials are indeed independent contractors. The argument would be that the schools and assignors are complicit in an arrangement that effectively denies benefits to girls by denying them access to better officiating.

I'm not saying such a suit would win; indeed, it would probably never go to trial. But I think it's incorrect to claim that, because we're independent contractors, Title IX is irrelevant to us: once you step through a school's door, it's relevant, whether the check has the school's name on it or not. The fix is easy: if you want games from an assignor, you take both boys and girls.

I'm a little surprised that this suit hasn't actually been filed somewhere or other. I can't possibly be the first person to think of this argument.

If I were asked this question, I would simply tell the coach the truth: some officials don't regard the girls' game as real basketball. Some of those are "better" officials, and some are not.