NBA Refs Possible Strike

[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.

[Texas Aggie]

One of the things the league wants is to squeeze out some of the officials who make the most money

I can't say for sure, because I'm not anywhere near knowledgeable about the facts here, but I'd bet a lot that this is not true. Why not? The league can get rid of whoever it wants. It isn't that difficult even with the union. Why have a lockout over a few guys?

This is about money. They don't want to slash other areas and aren't getting the revenue going forward they expected.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by tomegun

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.

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I can't say for sure, because I'm not anywhere near knowledgeable about the facts here, but I'd bet a lot that this is not true. Why not? The league can get rid of whoever it wants. It isn't that difficult even with the union. Why have a lockout over a few guys?

This is about money. They don't want to slash other areas and aren't getting the revenue going forward they expected.

We don't really even need to talk about this do we? I said "one of the things" not the only thing. Officials like Dick Bevetta (sp?) and Bennett Salvatore make a lot of money now and stand to make A LOT more whenever they decide to retire. Read the articles online and they mention the lump sum payment they (it didn't say them specifically) will get when they retire, plus their pension. Sure they can get rid of them. That would be called retirement because they have their years in and as it stands right now the amount of money they would make is one of the hang ups to get a new deal done.

You still want to make that bet?

[amusedofficial]

let me have one of those NBA scab jobs, I'll take it after all. I mean, look at the advantages: I get to make good money, but I didn't have to risk anything to get it! And so what if by acting as a replacement I will undermine the people who follow me -- I'm getting mine and that's all that matters! My big break!! I couldnt compete with the guys who I'm replacing, but tweet, tweet, they're out and I'm in. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of the gains made by people who are out on the street. This is America, it's a free country! It's my right to take advantage of each and every situation so that I personally benefit. I've seen the light.