Because Of Officiating, I'm A Thousandaire ...
 

Amen. I wouldn't do it for free, but I'll keep doing it because it generates a positive cash flow, and I love doing it.

Oh, I almost forgot, I do it for the kids. Yeah, that's right, it's for the kids. Always for the kids.

Look For The Black Helicopters ...
 

Worse than taking a knee?

bucky: You do realize that the Internal Revenue Service monitors this Forum all the time.

He’s never posted anything that makes me think he is an official.

I don’t referee for the kids. And many times when I hear that phrase I can tell the person using it is being disingenuous (not you, Billy). I referee because I love to referee.

Most schools in South Carolina are going to ArbiterPay this year (finally), which is upsetting to officials who had previously just left any income they didn’t receive a 1099 for unreported (since it was common not to make $600/year from an entity when the schools/districts were paying us on their own). Because ArbiterPay will send 1099s based on the total amount paid, now those officials will have no choice but to (gasp) actually report their earnings.

Slowly doing less. Tough to work certain levels/genders without falling asleep. Also, it has become so cliche. People say/do the dumbest things. It has become extremely predictable.

The Blue Text ...
 

I'm pleased that my message was understood without resorting to the "sarcastic blue text". As much as I enjoy officiating, and doing a good job for the coaches, players, fans, and my partners, I would never do it for free (except for Special Olympics Unified Sports, and that I really do officiate for the kids).

I report mine. It was amazing to watch/hear so many non-reporting officials complain about Arbiter doing that.

Death And Taxes ...
 

Which I've been doing right along. Maybe I'm a chump, but I'm a patriotic chump.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.l...=0&w=547&h=162

I think you misunderstood. It's a better who spends time at the track.

You make much more officiating than you make working at McDonald's for example. I paid for my first car mostly with money from officiating. I tell guys in college that they can do better working games than they can most other jobs with their time they spend on other things.

Peace

You're right, most part-time jobs are not going to pay you around $70 for what amounts to maybe 3.5 hours of work (travel time, early arrival, and game time). Of course, that doesn't take into account the time we spend attending meetings, reading, paying dues, along with the money and time used to purchase uniform stuff.

To your point, my best friend's father put him through college using the money he made officiating. Of course, his father officiated four sports, and worked almost every night, to do so. But yes, there is money to be made doing what we do.

But I believe my point is still valid, as it is certainly possible to find a part-time job that is comparable in pay when you take into account all those extras I pointed out in the first paragraph. And that doesn't include the stress and crap we put up with compared to the guy working the drive thru at McDonald's, either (that's not to say they don't have any crap to deal with, but I believe on average we put up with more).

To you and me, the money we make is worth what we put into it. But I'm not going to tell somebody that simply wants to make a little extra money that officiating is a great way to do that. I'd rather be 100% honest about what it takes to truly succeed at what we do, and let that person decide if it's worth a try.

I'm sorry if what I'm saying dissuades anybody from officiating, as many places need more officials (especially good ones that are dedicated).

I started officiated b/c I needed a part-time job to supplement my income 16 years ago. Every year by March I have all my credit card and Christmas bills paid done to zero.

Actually funny and made for a good start to my day.

Unfortunately, not everybody is willing to put in the time, energy, and money into a part time job like you have. We see many new officials around here give it up after just one year.

Hell, it's true of most jobs. No one job is right for everybody.

I'm sorry if I've offended anyone here. If anything, I feel that I'm giving props to people such as yourself that have dedicated so much of their time, energy, and money into officiating. Because there are plenty of people that would rather find something easy and less stressful to make extra money. And I'm not bashing them, either.

I stand by my statement that you shouldn't officiate simply for the money.

Bryan did a better job of saying essentially what I meant. A new official doesn't start making $70/game. I also do not believe one, initially, could make more money working at McDonald's, let alone "much more". Clearly McDonald's would provide more hours and thus more money. McDonald's, or similar job, provides room for advancement, resume building, S.S., education reimbursement, food(lol), and other perks that are more worthwhile than officiating. Not say officiating completely does not provide some of those things just not a par with a job. This is the way I might look at it: A teenager asks, "What should I do for income? Get a job, like McDonald's, or officiate basketball?" I know what my answer would be.

This is all presuming that the OP was young. If older and simply needs a "hobby" then my answer might be different.