numbers?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Oz Referee

Hahaha, I remember reading a quote from a NBA coach (think it might have been Pat Riley) that if the numbers added up to over 100 it was an inexperienced crew. Based on that I wonder if it is a seniority thing...

This is somewhat true... You can pick from numbers that are available. Then, when someone retires that number becomes available and another official can pick it if they want -- based on seniority. For example, Monty McCutchen is #13 and before him that was Mike Mathis (if memory serves correctly), so he picked up the number when Mathis retired. However, if you are happy with your number you don't have to change, so there are some veteran officials in the league that have a high number.