Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. After three to five years of experience, entry-level referees are eligible for a higher salary at the senior level. An official union, called the National Association of Basketball Referees, was created in 1977 and is known today as the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA). "In that moment, he was being very clear -- there was no micro-aggression or anything: 'I'm going to tell you exactly that I don't think you belong here doing this.'". NBA G League officials Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time NBA referee status. Can something go right in my life? I dont know if the NBA is going to be starting again [due to the pandemic]. Referees gearing up for return to NBA games, too, Like teams, NBA refs have new health, safety protocols, NBA denies Dallas Mavericks' protest, fines Mavs owner Mark Cuban $500K, Assistant coaches program helps former players become future coaches, Warriors' Green ejected from Game 2 for flagrant foul, Jackson Jr. named Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Interactive Stats Visuals for Kia DPOY Finalists, Ties broken for order of selection in '23 NBA Draft. Natalie Sago (SAY-go) has officiated 171 games in four seasons as an NBA staff official. College softball expert roundtable: Who has the most to prove and who can stop Oklahoma? Jelks, the only African American woman who is currently a full-time ref in the league, talks about her unique career path. The book was designed to give men "key skills to improve your overall game. Why not? That is an opportunity that you dont get every lifetime and just the challenge of both womens and mens officiating is challenging, but then you add that extra level of being a woman in a mans world. Refs need to run up and down the court all game without a substitution or water break to ensure they are always in the right place to make the correct call. I want to make sure that I am twice as good, if not better.. If youre interested in becoming a referee, Jelks says that the best piece of advice she can give is to just get out there and do it. Refereeing can be a daunting task at first, but Jelks says that the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Natalie Sago, 31, a 2018 addition to the league, had a birthright motivating her: Her father, Dr. Shelton Sago, was a 35-year high school official in Missouri, a local legend in both basketball and football. "I said to the guys: 'You can curse! Since, they have to travel to officiate different games, they will have to work with someone they haven't previously worked with. What was the first NBA game you refereed? He worked 13 NBA regular-season games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. As per the source, Simone was born on September 3, 1986, making her 34 years of age in 2021 . After she graduated, she became a referee. It was really cool because our assigner at the time assigned me to do a couple of the Lakers scrimmages before the actual game. She is a former NBA basketball player with multiple talents as an author and athlete, and now a full-time paid NBA official. Her love for simply being on the basketball court fused with her desire to prove those naysayers wrong. Just do your best and dont give up, she says. She was being promoted to a full-time NBA referee, making her the fifth woman and only African American woman to currently hold that title in the league. "She really did an awesome job of reaching out to us and saying, 'Hey, I really want to start this group. THE FIRST NBA INDIAN ORIGIN REFEREES JOURNEY FROM PRE-MED TO PRE-REF, NBRA ANNOUNCES RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT FOR G LEAGUE START OF SEASON, TONIGHT Today, there are a total of five full-time women NBA referees, an all-time league high. ", Editor's Note: The below story aired on December 16, 2020, Example video title will go here for this video. "Did I hear it? 3. Entry-level NBA referees earn $250,000 per year as "rookies." After three to five years of experience, entry-level referees are eligible for a higher salary at the senior level. They maintain the integrity of the world's premier basketball league consisting of 30 teams, 120 pre-season games, 1260 regular season games, and 4 rounds of playoffs. Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com). Holtkamp-Sterling has become a big sister figure to the other women in the program. I also try to limit my intake of processed foods and sugary drinks., Simone Jelks is the NBAs first female referee, and shes loving every minute of it. Only after that they become eligible to officiate postseason games where they can earn as high as $10,000/game in the first two rounds which can further increase to over $30,000/game for the referees officiating in the finals and semifinals. After fans and players ripped the replacement officials hired by the league, the NBA settled the strike and recognized the NBRA as the sole bargaining group for referees. Please logout and login again. None of it bothered me. "She did it way before all of us, before the world we live in now that's all accepting," Moyer-Gleich said of Kantner. 7:30 PM ET What advice would you give to others who wants to be like you? Jelks, who is married with two teenage daughters, said she tries to keep a balance between her work and personal life. The highest salary for a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of an NBA referee. Why was he once considered a star? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. we will inform you about the per match fees as well as the annual salaries of the Highest Paid NBA Referees 2022 (+All Salary). Did that prepare you at all for officiating in the NBA? The best part is just being around the game, she says. The most recent estimations put NBA referees annual salaries between $180,000 and $550,000. Twenty-four of the G League's 57 referees are women, plus several who jump between the NBA and G League (all NBA officials with under four years of experience are commonly assigned as crew chief for G League games to gain experience); 15 of the WNBA's 33 referees are women, nine of whom also work games in the G League. [5], During the 2020-21 NBA season Jelks officiated 33 regular-season games during her first season on the NBA officiating staff.[3][4]. And every time that Ive reached out to her, shes given me nothing but just honesty and transparency. March 12, 2021. Every player doesnt react the same way or respond the same way to criticism. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. The NBRA has encountered strikes and lockouts in the 44 years since its founding. ET. And not everyone was comfortable. Everyones out there just trying to do their best. She is earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee. A post shared by (@referee.time), ALSO READ: Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com), Be the first one to comment on this story. [3][4] Jelks along with Andy Nagy and Suyash Mehta were promoted to the NBA officiating staff on December 23, 2020. A former University of Southern California womens basketball star who played professionally in Puerto Rico and overseas in Croatia, Jelks refereed womens basketball on the college level for three years, in the Mid-American Conference and the Horizon League, and then in the G League. I would love for you guys to be a part of it.' From left to right: NBA referees Josh Tiven, Simone Jelks and Leon Wood talk during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings on Jan. 13 at the Golden 1 Center. The call couldnt have come at a better time for Jelks. The highest and final level an NBA referee can reach is the senior-level ref. In the 2020-21 season, there have been a record 7 female NBA referees who officiated at least one game. Professional NBA Referees generally take 7 thousand US Dollars for officiating a single NBA fixture. I make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, she says. And I got big plans for you. So, when one door closes, another door opens. Read on to learn more about her inspiring story. Have you had any conversations with Violet Palmer? "There's no reason why we shouldn't have more women as officials, coaches and basketball executives in our league," Silver said. Be yourself. The ties were broken through random drawings conducted by NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars. The top referees are eligible to work the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. copyright 2023 National Basketball Referees Association. What it means for what Ive accomplished personally. Draymond Green is given a Flagrant 2 foul for stomping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis, who earns a technical foul for grabbing Green's leg. You can talk about the girl in the fifth row with the big ta-tas! There is no consensus answer to how much money NBA referees are paid by the league. She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. Just be you. She is a founding member of Women In Sports officiating, an organization that works to promote female officials at all levels of play. Their packages cover travel stipends, insurance, and retirement plans. Jelks is a trailblazer in the world of basketball officiating. Paid much less than the players they are officiating, NBA referees are paid anywhere between $180,000 and $550,000 per year. Salaries Salaries; Odds Odds; Awards Awards; Jelks now 7th woman to be full-time NBA ref. To ensure they are always in the right place to make the correct call, they need to run up and down the court all game without a substitution or water break. They're just talking about something they're uncomfortable with.". And when youre a former athlete, youre really competitive with yourself. [1] While attending Charles F. Brush High School Jelks became the school's career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws. Last month, Jelks made history when she officiated an NBA Summer League game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks becoming the first female referee in NBA history, It was an unbelievable experience, she said. Clnica del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos. 6. Included aren't just the five women who have achieved full-time NBA status, but also many more working their way up through the G League or WNBA training ranks. NBA G League referees Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time NBA staff officials, it was announced today by Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Referee Development and Training. Rather, they've tried to go further. A great deal of patience is required for this. Lifelong bonds have been formed within this group. The entry-level referee is looked at as a rookie, and they make around $600 for each game they are a part of or about $250,000 a year if they are full-time. There will be plenty of heated moments; their ability to remain calm and professional will be key to their performance. NEW YORK (AP) Simone Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. Other projections put the base salary for new referees somewhere around $250,000. "Once [my peers] saw that I was about the business and the work and wanting to learn the craft, they were more than willing to open themselves up to teach me.". Moyer-Gleich tells multiple stories of NBA security staff confusing her for a cheerleader or a referee's wife when she entered the building to officiate games; to varying degrees, her peers have similar experiences. The Brush graduate was promoted to full-time status by the NBA last week. Dont be anybody else out there because you can only be you. She also earned a master's degree in Public Health from Case Western Reserve University (2011) and a master's degree in Urban Secondary Teaching from Cleveland State University (2013). To show refereeing skills, the candidate may also be asked to conduct a mock game demonstration. Still, there's unanimous agreement that without the groundwork laid by the two trendsetters before them, the path would have been rockier. "It's almost normal now. So, I love my job because of what it means on a larger level. I'm good, I'll tell you whether or not she's cute!' Simone Jelks is the first female referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA). I got you. All Rights Reserved. Do NBA refs get paid more than WNBA players? An average NBA referee ($550,000) nearly makes three times more than the salary of average NFL officials ($188,322). Referees need to run, backpedal ,and lean over throughout basketball games, to stay with the ball and accordingly make quick calls. I had chills the whole game.. Whether its an infamous name listed as an official for a big game, a questionable ejection or even a gambling or travel expense scandal, refereeing is mostly a thankless job in the NBA. "Once or twice a week in the summer, we would get on a Skype call and spend an hour or two hours talking rules, talking scenarios, situations. "Dee did it in a day where I'm sure she didn't have that support.". Simone Jelks: From womens hoops star to NBA referee. NBA referees also receive numerous benefits like travel expenses, insurance and retirement plans. NBA TV SCHEDULE 2022. An NBA referee needs to be confident, stern, smart, and aware to make a call in a high-pressure environment with 20,000 fans cheering or booing at them. Palmer's focus was internal. Simone Jelks, Jenna Schroeder, Danielle Scott and Holtkamp-Sterling (married to fellow NBA ref Jonathan Sterling). Violet is an incredible woman and shes such an honest woman. While at . By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears. Simone Jelks is the first female referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA). How does having played at USC and internationally help you in this job? Natalie Sago, whos one of the current NBA female, full-time referees. Jelks joins the group of female NBA referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. She rattles off names: Steve Javie, Jack Nies, Billy Oakes, Joey Crawford. While Palmer and Kantner are no longer working for the NBA, their legacies live on. R denotes rookie. In 2017, the NBRA expanded to include officials for the G League and WNBA. NBA Referee # 81. What is her take on being a role model for young girls. I was totally fan-girling. Those who followed them still faced real challenges. "Her advice is . They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season. These veterans are believed to be some of the highest-paid referees in the league. It was early in Holtkamp-Sterling's young basketball officiating career, years before she'd ascend to the NBA level. I love what I do, she said. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. Ashley's journey to becoming a senior NBA referee has been remarkable. I had to observe, I had to just understand, OK, what is it today that is preventing this young man from doing his work in the classroom? And every student is different. I thought that was awesome. Absolutely. November 4, 2019. I grew up watching basketball and to be able to be a part of it now is just an unbelievable feeling., Jelks, who has been officiating for 12 years, says that she didnt set out to become the first female referee in the NBA. Kind of like coaching. Jelks began her career as a referee in 2012, when she was 22 years old. So whats her advice for aspiring referees? Jelks became the seventh woman to be a full-time NBA referee. #NBA #NBAReferees twitter.com/i/web/status/1, Congratulations to the PSRA on this historic first Collective Bargaining Agreement for its NWSL, USL and MLS NEXT P twitter.com/i/web/status/1, University of Southern California 08 M.P.H. He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. Xavier Browns basketball IQ and understanding of the game is advanced for his age. Simone Jelks knows that she has to be twice as good as her male counterparts to prove herself on the court. What are her thoughts on the future of the NBA? The initiative is one that comes straight from the top of the NBA hierarchy. Please logout and login again. That call brings goose bumps back to me, Jelks told The Undefeated recently. "They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis. If they get the chance to officiate a semifinal or final of the NBA season they get up to 29 thousand US Dollars for that special duty. Your email address will not be published. However, for the play-off matches they receive a bigger amount of money in 9K USD. So it helps me with understanding that youve got to just find some type of mental balance, some way to keep yourself grounded on the road. An underrated aspect of a referee is the physical fitness that they need to maintain during a game. The highest paid of them earn around 550 thousand US Dollars in a year which is quite lucrative. The top referees are eligible to work the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. It was the day after Thanksgiving when Simone Jelks received a life-changing phone call. ET here. 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