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Nba Referee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... 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 ...

... 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 Sep 11, 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

What are popular job titles related to Nba Referee jobs?

For Nba Referee jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Nba Referee job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,222 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Title Off-Ice Official | Part-Time | Coachella Valley Firebirds

Palm Desert, CA • On-site

XL Center
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 51 - 200 employees

$20 - $24/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Posted 21 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Timing the game from stoppage to stoppage, including resetting the clock and timing intermissions and time-outs.

  • Monitoring and recording penalties, ensuring players are released at the appropriate times, and assisting referees with on-ice strength assessments.

  • Handling the penalty box area, releasing players at the end of penalties, replacing game pucks, and monitoring video replay for game clock adjustments.


Job description

Off-Ice Official | Part-Time | Coachella Valley Firebirds
Location US-CA-Palm Desert
Job Post Information* : Posted Date 3 weeks ago(8/19/2026 9:36 PM)
Job ID 2026-34243
Location Name Coachella Valley Firebirds
Category Game Presentation
Type Regular Part-Time
Location : Location US-CA-Palm Desert
Job Post Information* : External Company Name Oak View Group
Job Post Information* : External Company URL https://www.oakviewgroup.com/
Location : Postal Code 92211
Location : Address 75702 Varner Road
Job Post Information* : Post End Date 11/20/2026
Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of an Off-Ice Official is to function as a contributing member of a team of officials assigned to a variety of tasks for pre-season, regular season, and playoff games played in connection with the Firebirds Hockey Sports Team.

This role will pay an hourly rate of $20.00 - $24.00

Benefits for Part-Time roles: 401(k) Savings Plan and 401(k) matching.

This position will remain open until November 20, 2026.

About the Venue

Acrisure Arena is the premier sports and entertainment venue in the greater Palm Springs area, a 11,000+ seat building hosting the biggest artists and acts on the planet. The arena is home to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, who reached the Calder Cup Finals in each of their first two seasons and have established one of the best game-night atmospheres in minor league hockey. Beginning in 2026-27, Acrisure Arena also becomes home to the Coachella Valley Lakers of the NBA G League, expanding the building's year-round sports calendar. We are building a championship organization that serves our fans, community, and business partners through exceptional sports and entertainment. Winning matters. Fans come first. Great teams achieve unimaginable results. And we honor the culture and diversity of the cities that make up the Coachella Valley.

Responsibilities
  • Timing the game from stoppage to stoppage. Resetting the clock when necessary. Monitoring that the clock is functioning properly. Timing of intermissions. Timing of both official and commercial time-outs.
  • Timing of all penalties assessed by the referees. Ensuring that penalties are recorded accurately in the AHL records. Ensuring players are released at the appropriate times from the penalty box. Assisting the referees with determining the on-ice strength when multiple penalties are assessed.
  • Responsible for the penalty box area in conjunction with the penalty timekeeper. Releasing players at the appropriate time at the expiration of their penalties. Replacing game pucks when they leave the ice surface and/or at other times per league guidelines. Maintaining a backup stopwatch for the game clock. Monitoring the video replay headset in case there are video reviews required and/or game clock adjustments.
  • Handling the commercial time-outs based on established League guidelines. Communicating with the broadcasters, the on-ice officials, and fellow off-ice officials when commercial timeouts are upcoming and when they are about to be completed.
  • Illuminating the red light when the referee signals that a goal has been scored.
  • Making the official decision on all goals, including the goal scorer and those worthy of receiving an assist. Report this information to the off-ice official responsible for entering information into the scoring system and to the public address announcer. Reviewing all scoring plays on video to ensure accuracy.
  • Accurately interpreting the events of the game and recording them in the League scoring system. Making instantaneous decisions on hits, shots, missed shots, blocked shots, giveaways, takeaways, goals and assists, penalties, and other pertinent game events.
  • Verbalizing events so that nothing is missed by those entering them into the scoring system computers. Reviewing events on video to verify decisions or to make changes for accuracy.
  • Reviewing all close plays at the net and communicating effectively with the technician, the on-ice officials, and the AHL Situation Room to accurately determine the legitimacy of all goals and potential goals.
  • Arrive one-two hours prior to game time and until the game reports are completed and must be available for all pre-season, regular and post-season games (October to June)
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
  • 2+ years of hockey officiating experience is highly preferred
  • High school diploma or GED. Associate's degree is preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to write reports and business correspondence
  • Highly organized with good coordinating/project management skills.
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines and work in a high-pressure environment
  • Ability to analyze problems involving many variables
  • Proficient in MS Office with Salesforce or similar CRM experience - Ticketmaster platform experience preferred - Archtics
  • High level of demonstrated professionalism, integrity and ability to maintain sensitive information and appropriate decorum
  • Team player with a positive attitude, professionalism, resourcefulness, integrity, motivation, and a strong work ethic
  • Competitive, self-motivated, and creative-thinking skills and a team-first attitude
  • Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

 
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