NBA Refs Possible Strike

[ace]

32 million dollar referee budget?

That averages about to 561k per offcial. Granted the 32 million includes travel expenses, per diems, etc. Even still if you take the 57 guys and pay em all 200k a year thats only 11 million dollars. I'm thinking some NBA officials are making more bank than we think

[sseltser]

Originally Posted by ace

32 million dollar referee budget?

That averages about to 561k per offcial. Granted the 32 million includes travel expenses, per diems, etc. Even still if you take the 57 guys and pay em all 200k a year thats only 11 million dollars. I'm thinking some NBA officials are making more bank than we think

Salaries are only a portion of expenses paid by any organization to employees. Benefits cost the NBA as well. Plus travel expenses. And equipment for officials, including all of the stuff they do online with video review. Add on to that the employees that evaluate and support the officials for things like HR and travel.

And also, others have stated that some make 300k-400k. Add to that playoff pay.

I'm sure I still missed dozens of expenses.


That budget doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

[olddoc08]

Who are some of the people on the short list to work the games if they go are locked out.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by olddoc08

Who are some of the people on the short list to work the games if they go are locked out.

Check the D-League and WNBA rosters, that'll give you a good portion of the names right there.

[Mark Padgett]

I think they should have the coaches ref. That'll teach 'em.

[grunewar]

On PTI today Tony K and Bob Ryan talked about the situation. They reported Shaq said the NBA needs to pay the refs and the players were afraid someone might get "hurt" with inexperienced refs. The guys proceeded to talk about how GOOD NBA refs are - yeah, the refs get criticism and blow a call every now and again. But, overall, they're the best in the business and do a great job!

Then of course a GEICO commercial came on with a caveman dressed as a football ref - nice!

[Mark Padgett]

The Associated Press released a story today that replacement refs are starting to be trained next week in New Jersey. It said the NBA has been interviewing for over a week. Apparently, first year officials make about $150,000 and long time veterans around $550,000 annually. Apparently, the two sides were fine with salaries but not with pensions and severance plans. Currently, referees receive a retirement bonus of up to $550,000 on top of pension benefits that can reach as high at $2,000,000. Also, the league wanted to tighten up travel allowances and per diems.

Heck - I'd do that job for half of that.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by ace

I'm thinking some NBA officials are making more bank than we think

How much did you think? The rookie salary is more than $100k.

One of the things the league wants is to squeeze out some of the officials who make the most money. You could pay 4 officials for what some of the old guys make alone.