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Nba Referee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... NBA Replay Center and other in-arena parties. These results include scoring changes made by the ... Communicate to on-court referees, PA Announcer, Broadcasters and Statisticians of any scoring ...

As a Referee you will: * Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Referee

Plano, TX ยท On-site

As a Referee you will: * Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Basketball Referee

Rochester, NY

$30 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Basketball Referee you will: * Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Basketball Referee

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$30 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Basketball Referee you will: * Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Broadcast Support Engineer - Replay Comms

Secaucus, NJ

$95K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As part of the Engineering team, this individual will provide technical support for the Referee Replay Center, NBA broadcasts, and retrieval systems. The role requires independence, sound judgment ...

Off Duty Officer

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$18.50 - $23.75/hr

Participates, as required, as the MPD representative at all NBA game referee security briefings or other event security briefings. * May assist in securing areas occupied by talent, performers, VIP ...

Off Duty Officer

Washington, DC

$18.50 - $23.75/hr

Participates, as required, as the MPD representative at all NBA game referee security briefings or other event security briefings. * May assist in securing areas occupied by talent, performers, VIP ...

Sports and Recreation Associate

Rochester, NY

$15 - $19/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... referee games, prepare and maintain fields. * Expand and offer more leagues. * Supervise and ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Sports and Recreation Associate

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$15 - $19/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... referee games, prepare and maintain fields. * Expand and offer more leagues. * Supervise and ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

Sports and Recreation Associate

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$15 - $19/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... referee games, prepare and maintain fields. * Expand and offer more leagues. * Supervise and ... NBA Draft each year, and our practitioner education courses and workshops provide industry ...

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Nba Referee information

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How much do nba referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for nba referee in the United States is $16.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.02 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an NBA referee?

NBA referees are professional officials responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining order during National Basketball Association games. They make decisions on fouls, violations, and other game situations to ensure fair play. NBA referees are highly trained and must remain impartial while managing fast-paced, high-pressure situations. Their judgments can significantly influence the flow and outcome of games, making their role crucial in professional basketball.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an NBA referee, and why are they important?

To thrive as an NBA Referee, you need an in-depth understanding of basketball rules, excellent physical fitness, and prior officiating experience, often supported by officiating certifications. Familiarity with instant replay systems, whistle signals, and digital reporting tools is also important. Outstanding decision-making, communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate, fair game management and uphold the integrity of professional basketball at the highest level.

What are some common challenges NBA referees face during games, and how do they handle high-pressure situations?

NBA referees often encounter challenges such as making split-second decisions, managing interactions with players and coaches, and maintaining focus amidst intense crowd reactions. They are trained to remain calm under pressure and rely on extensive knowledge of the rules and teamwork with other officials to ensure fair play. Continuous professional development, including reviewing game footage and attending training sessions, helps referees adapt to evolving gameplay and maintain high performance on the court.

What is the difference between Nba Referee vs Nba Umpire?

AspectNba RefereeNba Umpire
CredentialsReferee certification, training programsUmpire certification, similar training
Work EnvironmentBasketball courts, game daysBasketball courts, game days
Employer/IndustryNational Basketball Association (NBA)National Basketball Association (NBA)
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Both NBA referees and umpires are officials responsible for enforcing game rules during basketball games. They share similar credentials, work environments, and are employed by the NBA. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'referee' is more common in the NBA context. Understanding their roles helps fans and aspiring officials recognize the standards and responsibilities involved in professional basketball officiating.

Do NBA referees have other jobs?

NBA referees often work other jobs during the off-season or part-time, as refereeing salaries alone may not be sufficient for full financial stability. Many hold positions in education, coaching, or other fields, and they typically need to pass physical fitness tests and maintain certification to officiate at the professional level.

How do you become an NBA referee?

To become an NBA referee, candidates typically need extensive experience officiating at lower levels such as college or minor leagues, and must pass NBA-specific training and assessments. They also need strong knowledge of basketball rules, good communication skills, and physical fitness to keep up with the pace of the game.
More about Nba Referee jobs
Infographic showing various Nba Referee job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,222 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Project Employee, Courtside Administrator

Nba

New York, NY โ€ข On-site, Remote

$300/day

Part-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

WORK OPTION: Remote

_________________

This is a temporary position with an expected duration not to exceed (10) months.

This job posting is for candidate pipeline purposes and is not an active hiring opportunity. Bysubmittingyour application, you are expressing interest in potential future Project Employee openings within the Basketball Operations team. We will keep your information on file and may contact you if a suitable position becomes available.

Position Summary:

The Courtside Administrator (CA) is a game night position that will work closely with the Basketball & Referee Operations Department related to instant replay related matters. The CA will work in-arena and be positioned at the scorer's table with the main responsibility of watching live action and communicating replay reviews and results between the NBA Replay Center and other in-arena parties. These results include scoring changes made by the Replay Center as well as flagging actual or potential replay situations, operational situations and additional tasks. The CA will have no decision-making capabilities but will be the primary facilitator between in-arena and the Replay Center.

Major Responsibility:

  • Communicate to on-court referees, PA Announcer, Broadcasters and Statisticians of any scoring changes made via the Replay Center and assisting in the explanation of any additional replay reviews Inform on-court referees of how many free throws are to be assessed when a foul occurred in proximity of the three-point line (as instructed by the Replay Center)

  • Identify/communicate to the Replay Center actual or potential replay situations or triggers

  • Replay monitor management (pregame, during reviews, etc.)

  • Assist and communicate with on-court referees while they conduct replay reviews courtside

  • Activate coaches challenge light (potential new rule for 2019-20 season)

  • Miscellaneous pregame requests

Required Skills/Knowledge:

  • Superior level of basketball knowledge, and clear understanding of NBA game rules, including replay triggers Good communication skills, in both listening and understanding instructions, as well as being able to clearly articulate information between multiple parties

  • Ability to maintain composure and to work quickly and thoughtfully in high-stress situations

  • Basic knowledge of NBA officiating terminology

  • Precise and detail oriented approach to all tasks

  • Must display a passion for the game of basketball

Education:

College degree preferred, but not required.

Salary Range:

$300/daily

Job Posting Title:

Project

Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; short-term disability; mental health coaching/therapy; and sick time.

Eligibility Note: Not all positions are eligible for these benefits; eligibility may vary by role.

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA's own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital's assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.