NBA referees often find themselves having to make tough decisions in stressful situations, with that in mind, fans are eager to find out what are their annual average salaries and who is the best-paid NBA referee and the salary per year in 2023
NBA referees need to possess a certain level of calmness and confidence to make accurate calls in high-pressure games.
NBA referee salaries in the 2022-2023 season and highest paid referee salary per year
Oh yeah? Sleepless nights? I’m sure your salary helps ease the pain. Best referees my ass. Get younger referees or provide them eyeglasses already @NBA pic.twitter.com/GYiO348RnD
— SLEEPY ROB (@Fxiden8) January 30, 2023
While NBA players are paid very well, the referees also get a substantial salary based on their experience and performances.
Average annual salaries of NBA referees in 2022
According to various sources, the average annual salary for NBA referees in 2022 range between $180,000 to $500,000. This largely depends on the league and experience. During the playoff rounds, NBA officials can generally earn up to $10,000 per game.
Top 10 best-paid NBA referees
Given below are the top-10 best-paid referees in the NBA
10. Eric Lewis – $550,000
Age: 51 years old
College: Bethune Cookman College
Eric has officiated 936 regular-season and 46 posts throughout his career. Before joining the NBA, he spent three seasons refereeing in the NBA G League and two seasons in the USBL. He has eight years of college basketball officiating experience with the Ohio Valley and Atlantic Sun.
9. Marc Davis – $550,000
Age: 49 years old
College: U.S. Naval Academy
Marc has so far officiated 1,279 regular-season games and 132 playoff games, including 12 Finals. He officiated the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans and also has three years of CBA experience.
8. Tom Washington – $550,000 Referee
Age: 66 years old
College: Norfolk State University
Tom has officiated 1,629 regular-season NBA games, 172 post-season games, and four finals in his career. He officiated the 2017 All-Star Game and the 1996 Japan games in Tokyo. He has two years’ experience in the CBA and five years in Philadelphia.
7. Pat Fraher – $550,000
Age: 49 years old
College: University of Minnesota
Throughout his career, Pat has officiated 1,106 NBA games and also worked on 51 playoff games across 18 seasons. Before joining NBA, Fraher spent four years in the Women’s NBA and seven in the CBA. Pat was also a high school official.
6. Ken Mauer – $550,000
Age: 65 years old
College: University of Minnesota
Ken has spent nine years in the CBA, nine years in college, and about twelve years in secondary school. He has so far officiated 1,935 regular-season games and 218 postseason games, which include 19 Finals games. Interestingly, the veteran official was the official for Michael Jordan’s first game back from retirement.
5. Scott Foster – $550,000
Age: 55 years (as of 2022)
College: University of Maryland
Foster has so far officiated 1,477 regular-season games and 187 playoff games, which include 19 Finals matches. He was also a crew member of the 1996 Europe tour in Spain and Germany. He worked with the CBA for two years and also officiated the 2010 All-Star match.
4. Rodney Mott – $550,000
Age: 65 years old
College: San Diego State
Rodney has officiated 1,255 regular-season games and 35 playoff games throughout his career. He has officiated across 23 seasons and has a respectable record.
3. Tony Brothers – $550,000
Age: 58 years old
College: Old Dominion University
Tony has so far officiated more than 1,466 regular season matches and more than 140 playoffs. He is currently in his 27th NBA season, and has officiated nine final games. Tony also served four years as a CBA official.
2. Sean Corbin – $550,000
Age: 51 years old
College: Coppin State University
Sean Corbin played basketball before becoming a referee. Sean has officiated more than 1,300 regular-season games and 79 playoff matches throughout his career. He officiated the famous game between the Boston Celtics and the Vancouver Grizzlies on February 17, 1999, which was a famous triple-overtime thriller.
1. James Capers – $550,000
Age: 61 years
College: Central Michigan Capers was born in Chicago.
James has officiated 1,357 games throughout his 24-season career and over 135 playoff games, which include 10 finals. James has worked in the CBA for six years and officiated three championship games and two all-star games.