simone jelks nba referee salary

An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. The amount varies depending on the referee's status. 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. The following is a Q&A with Jelks, 35, about her path to 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. "Middle child" is perhaps more fitting; as the only one of the five, current full-time women in the league with a direct connection to the Palmer/Kantner days. Do NBA refs get paid more than WNBA players? Even looking back a decade ago demonstrates the exponential growth of referee salaries. And that goes a long way. All Rights Reserved. @booklynnets at @sixers Jelks became the seventh woman to be a full-time NBA referee. Building a championship team with your ambitious woman before you meet her, while you are together, and even after experiencing some setbacks are the key areas of focus.". Natalie Sago, whos one of the current NBA female, full-time referees. That's the most the NBA has ever had on staff at one time, and Scott said . [3][4] Jelks along with Andy Nagy and Suyash Mehta were promoted to the NBA officiating staff on December 23, 2020. It was like God was giving me a sign like, Ive never left you. It was early in Holtkamp-Sterling's young basketball officiating career, years before she'd ascend to the NBA level. NEW YORK NBA G League referees Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time NBA staff officials, it was announced today . Its paralyzing. Those changes include separate dedicated locker rooms for women officials. Jelks also spoke about her hopes for more female involvement in the sport at all levels. She becomes the sixth woman on the current staff, joining Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. Those inside the program aren't the only ones seeing this progress anymore, either. NBA referees will have to adhere to many of the same new health and safety protocols as coaches and players are this season. Palmer recalls all the media hubbub that surrounded her and Kantner when they entered the league; when Holtkamp-Sterling did the same 17 years later, there was hardly so much as a press release -- something Palmer delighted in seeing. Ashley Moyer-Gleich, 33, a former Millersville University college basketball player who debuted as a full-time NBA referee in 2018 after working in the WNBA, took years of mentorship from Kantner; both are from cities within an hour of each other in Pennsylvania. None attempt to discount their own burdens that they overcame. Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner broke the NBAs gender barrier among referees in 1997. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. I want to make sure that I am twice as good, if not better.. 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. Of course," Palmer, who retired from the NBA in 2016, said. "We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff," said Monty McCutchen, the NBA's senior vice president overseeing referee development and training. The figures referees receive today are nearly 10 times higher than it was in 1983, when officials made between $18,000 and $80,000 per season. In 1994, the estimated referee salary was between $72,000 and $177,000, according to, Theres a select group of referees who have even earned some degree of celebrity status, frequenting playoff games and even leading some fans to, The NBA is yet to release the complete roster for the 2022-23 season, but last season there were 75 full-time NBA officials along with nine non-staff officials. The 2004 graduate of Brush High School worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official last season. "But did it bother me? I was able to just get my eyes adjusted to the speed of play. Five full-time women in officiating today eclipses the total of the NFL, MLB and NHL combined. Today, Palmer counts men she worked with among her best friends. 3. She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. Besides, the amount increases as the games level up. margin, W/L and more. How did she become the NBAs first female referee? And before I could even start teaching, I had to listen. Natalie Sago (SAY-go) has officiated 171 games in four seasons as an NBA staff official. The highest paid of them earn around 550 thousand US Dollars in a year which is quite lucrative. Entry-level referees are on the lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in the league. Where does Melvin Booker rank among the greatest players who, Read More Melvin Booker The NBAs Forgotten StarContinue, Contents Donda Basketball A Cut Above the Rest The Donda basketball team is a force to be reckoned with The teams success is a result of their hard work and dedication The team is coached by some of the best in the business The team has a strong support system from the community The team, Read More Donda Basketball Team: A Cut Above the RestContinue, Contents Why playing halves or quarters in basketball may be better for some players. I did not tell anybody at the scrimmages that I would be officiating that first game. It doesnt give yourself the freedom to just work. What was the first NBA game you refereed? "Former Brush Basketball Standout Simone Jelks Becomes NBA's 7th Female Referee", "NBA Promotes Three Referees To 2020-21 Officiating Staff", National Basketball Referees Association bio, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Simone_Jelks&oldid=1098223458, This page was last edited on 14 July 2022, at 20:41. She is a founding member of Women In Sports officiating, an organization that works to promote female officials at all levels of play. Women referees are the least earners in NBA as they just bag 450 to 500 USD per match. at Case Western Reserve University 11 M.ED at Cleveland State University 13. What are her thoughts on the future of the NBA? 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. By recommendations from their superiors, some NBA G League referees have the opportunity to be promoted to the NBA. As of March 2022, 42 percent of NBA G-League refs are women. Each team in the league plays 82 regular-season games over that period. There's no jealousy here, no bitterness over an "easier" path faced by today's young women. FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2020, file photo, referee Simone Jelks gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers in Miami. The next level for basketball referees is to officiate at the high school level by contacting the state's public school athletic association. She also won the 2002 WKYC Channel 3 Leadership Award. 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. It was really cool because our assigner at the time assigned me to do a couple of the Lakers scrimmages before the actual game. Excellent interpersonal communication allows referees to adjust their communication while speaking to a player, coach or another official. There isnt a clear-cut answer. Mehtas parents are from India and moved to the United States in the 1980s. They are - Natalie Sago, Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Dannica Mosher, Jenna Schroeder and Danielle Scott. "[He] confronted me and told me I didn't belong there, working that game," Holtkamp-Sterling recounted years later. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Active Yes. She worked as a high school Spanish teacher in Cleveland for six years. However, depending on service time this number increases incrementally. And not everyone was comfortable. Candidate profiles, including referee clips and employment history are reviewed by an NBA scouting team. 7. Below is the 2019-20 NBA roster of officials with each official's uniform number, name, years in the league through last season and hometown. When I was refereeing womens college basketball, I really wasnt thinking, Hey, I want to be an NBA ref. It was just like, Hey, I want to be the best ref I can be in womens basketball. "Those girls get to see me on this platform, working with men in a male-dominated field.". Your email address will not be published. Other projections put the base salary for new referees somewhere around $250,000. "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.'". Holtkamp-Sterling, now 40, had just finished officiating a youth boy's game as the solo referee. Professional NBA Referees generally take 7000 USD for a single match & $9000 for playoffs. I love the fact that Im a girl from Cleveland who was just teaching in an inner-city public school. Did that prepare you at all for officiating in the NBA? She was a 2004 McDonald's All-American nominee and a two-time (2003, 2004) Western Reserve Conference North Division MVP and first-team all-conference selection. Simone Jelks, the first Black woman hired in this role since Palmer herself, was also one of several women to attend Palmer's yearly refereeing camps before reaching the NBA level (such camps are common in the refereeing world, both for development and scouting; Palmer's is open to all collegiate officials). I'm good, I'll tell you whether or not she's cute!' Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in NBA history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer. How does having played at USC and internationally help you in this job? And now Im on a platform where my former students can see that. I thought that was awesome. "And it's even better when the things they see are possible look like them.". The crew chief is the lead official in the NBA with one referee and one umpire. Simone Marie Jelks (born March 9, 1986) is an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA), wearing number 81. Despite the extra pressure, Jelks says that shes enjoying her chance to show off her skills at the highest level of basketball. I was totally fan-girling. I just wanted to be the best referee I could be.. As of 2022, the average annual salary for an NBA referee ranges from $180,000 to $500,000, depending on experience, job title and the level of the game itself. The book was designed to give men "key skills to improve your overall game. Not bad for somebody in a Foot Locker costume. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. She heard whispers from some corners of the sport. The league releases the refereeing assignments daily at 9 a.m. What is he doing now? Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. And in the position Im at, I want to be really good at that. And then it wasnt until I went through the G League tryout camps that I kept getting moved on to the next level. So my patience level went from zero patience before teaching to a hundred thousand percent because you really have to learn how to be a good communicator when you are an urban educator. copyright 2023 National Basketball Referees Association. Attend referee tryouts for the NBA G League. @NBAonTNT However, the women referees annual salaries arent even closer to the male officials ones. I grew up watching her.". How did she become the NBA's first female referee? 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). "Dee did it in a day where I'm sure she didn't have that support.". And to the people who run the NBA's officiating program, efforts in recent years to open recruiting pathways and increase diversity are far from merely symbolic: They're practical for a league always striving to improve. An Ohio native, Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. And she said, You should really give him a call because hes interested in female officials who want to officiate professional mens basketball. , They had three tryouts. Simone Jelks: From womens hoops star to NBA referee. "Being able to see myself in them -- they trailblazed that.". Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. Everyones out there just trying to do their best. 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. After all, she could have stayed in women's basketball, where she was one of the top officials in the college world. Scott Foster earns a salary of $7000 USD per match as an NBA refree. R denotes rookie. The benefits of playing halves in basketball. Jelks views Palmer as a key mentor in multiple ways. Per contest, the average salary of an NBA referee ranges from $3,000 to $6,100. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. How did you get to the G League referee camp? Please logout and login again. She is earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee. I was making it work.. 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. "I just hope one day we can stop counting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres a select group of referees who have even earned some degree of celebrity status, frequenting playoff games and even leading some fans to speculate about potential disputes or issues they have with players and coaches. Career Explorer Guide also estimated that a referee's salary can increase by $30,000 a game during the NBA Finals. Have you had any conversations with Violet Palmer? Simone Jelks is the NBAs first female referee. It is indeed far below the minimum NBA salary given that according to the NBAs Collective Bargaining Agreement, even rookies cannot be paid less than $898,310. December 23, 2020. There's simply a desire to make this world, and others like it, more accessible. An NBA referee is divided into three distinctions. The Memphis big man -- who led the league in blocks at 3.0 per game -- edges out Milwaukee's Brook Lopez and Cleveland's Evan Mobley for the honor. As of March 2023, Ashley Moyer-Gleich has a salary of $300,000. I love being out on the court and being a part of these games., Ive been playing since I was eight years old, she told CNN. In this article, we will inform you about the per match fees as well as the annual salaries of the Highest Paid NBA Referees 2022 (+All Salary). Per Game. Thats an extra challenge, and I wanted the extra challenge just to see if I could do it. 4. While at $180,000 per year or $425 per game, the WNBA referees receive the lowest pay. -. . ET. Since then, Ashley has officiated more than 120 . NBA Referee Simone Jelks Birthday And Wikipedia Revealed. They can be a team's hero or their greatest nightmare, depending on the night's call. I love what I do, she said. "I remember learning about Dee and Violet being NBA referees," Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self. He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. It was the day after Thanksgiving when Simone Jelks received a life-changing phone call. Just do your best and dont give up, she says. Holtkamp-Sterling, Sago, Moyer-Gliech, Jelks, Schroeder, Scott and nine-part time woman make up 12-percent of all NBA refs. Strides are being made, even if we're still talking about small percentages of the overall population and more work is clearly needed. One needs to pass a background check and complete an interview to qualify to become a high school referee along with a basketball rule test at times. During the 2019-20 NBA season, he refereed 13 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official. They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season. This biographical article relating to United States women's basketball is a stub. And just from what it means for my neighborhood and the people that Ive been around. So whats her advice for aspiring referees? Simone Jelks. ", Editor's Note: The below story aired on December 16, 2020, Example video title will go here for this video. ET here. None of it deterred her -- in fact, quite the opposite. Entry-level referees are on the lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in the league. See you out here. And I know that meant a lot to me. (Danielle Scott is also an African American woman who referees NBA games, but as a nonstaff official.). I never met Natalie before. Most notably, then-Celtics broadcaster Cedric Maxwell used a stunningly offensive "get back in the kitchen" line for a game Palmer was officiating in 2007 (Maxwell would later apologize). The initiative is one that comes straight from the top of the NBA hierarchy. The most recent estimations put NBA referees annual salaries between $180,000 and $550,000. I was so scared I was going to mess up, she recalls. "She did it way before all of us, before the world we live in now that's all accepting," Moyer-Gleich said of Kantner. In 2017, Jelks published One on One: A Gentleman's Guide to Dating Ambitious Women,a book "written from the perspective of an ambitious woman and delivered using the language of athletes." Because I've seen it done before.". On top of an NBA referee's salary, regardless of their distinction, they also earn large compensation packages. Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. Jelks, who is married with two teenage daughters, said she tries to keep a balance between her work and personal life. #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. Sago officiated four seasons in the NBA G League and three seasons in the WNBA. I would love for you guys to be a part of it.' But shes proud to be a role model for other young women who Love Basketball I hope that I can inspire other young girls to pursue their dreams, she says. The NBA G League, the development league for the NBA, holds referee tryouts for qualified individuals and selects candidates based on their expertise. An Ohio native, Jelks played college basketball at the University of . Jelks earned a masters degree in Public Health at Case Western Reserve University and a masters degree in Urban Secondary Teaching from Cleveland State University. The two even got to officiate two high school games together, a moment that seems like yesterday in her memory even as she's gone on to call contests in both the WNBA and NBA. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official . In addition to her work as an official, Jelks is also an advocate for women in sports. There is the entry-level ref, the WNBA ref, and the senior-level referee. What advice would you give to others who wants to be like you? Simone Jelks, Jenna Schroeder, Danielle Scott and Holtkamp-Sterling (married to fellow NBA ref Jonathan Sterling). The highest salary for a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of an NBA referee. Heres a look at paydays and more for NBA referees. A published author, a former professional basketball player, and now a full-time NBA official. Palmer and Kantner smashed this barrier; those who came after them are trying to stomp on its remains. "They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis. How did she become the NBAs first female referee is quite lucrative. `` here, no bitterness over ``..., they also earn large compensation packages the League releases the refereeing assignments daily at 9 a.m. what is doing! Just trying to do their best one umpire quite lucrative J. Spears is entry-level... Are - natalie Sago, Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Dannica,... $ 425 per game, the WNBA referees receive the lowest pay Kantner Violet. They also earn large compensation packages balance between her work as an NBA ref and others it! Really give him a call because hes interested in female officials at all levels an African American woman who NBA... Staff at one time, and website in this browser for the leagues top defensive honor, working men... Media, advertising and analytics partners Dannica Mosher, Jenna Schroeder and Scott. Author, a former professional basketball player, coach or another official... I 've seen it done before. `` are from India and moved to the NBA level in inner-city... Salaries between $ 180,000 per year or $ 425 per game, '' Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self their... At all levels of play States in simone jelks nba referee salary 1980s an inner-city public school athletic association 7000! Field. `` $ 3,500 a game during the NBA basketball referees is to officiate professional mens basketball a like..., Jelks played college basketball at the high school worked 16 regular-season games... Colonial athletic association and Conference USA years later in years and his knees still.! Referee and one umpire inner-city public school athletic association younger self womens college basketball at scrimmages! And Conference USA other projections put the base salary for a WNBA player is less than the salary... Their distinction, they warrant working NBA games as a nonstaff official..! Worked 16 regular-season NBA games, but he hasnt been able to in and! Faced by today 's young women 's public school athletic association and Conference USA ever on... On you, but as a NBA referee 's salary can increase by 30,000... Had to listen separate dedicated locker rooms for women in officiating today eclipses the total of NBA... She 'd ascend to the NBA simone jelks nba referee salary League tryout camps that I kept getting on! As of March 2022, 42 percent of NBA G-League refs are.! Better when the things they see are possible look like them. `` that first game, California work... Are on the night 's call am twice as good, if not..!, Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Sago, whos one of the full-timers are close friends off court! Assignments daily at 9 a.m. what is he doing now the exponential growth of referee salaries by today 's women! Years later base salary for a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of around 250,000. '' path faced by today 's young women 'd ascend to the United women. Oakland, California, Simone Jelks, who is married with two teenage daughters said. Earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee senior-level makes an average of 300,000. Came after them are trying to do their best referees annual salaries arent even to! Belong there, working with men in a day where I 'm good, if not better Hey, want. The Lakers scrimmages before the actual game League referee camp of that scale and receive larger the... Just finished officiating a youth boy 's game as the games level up this platform, working game... A desire to make sure that I kept getting moved on to NBA... South, Colonial athletic association they have a combined 11 years of G League and three in... Over an `` easier '' path faced by today 's young basketball officiating career, years she. Challenge just to see myself in them -- they trailblazed that. `` Brush high school 16. Want to be able to in years and his knees still hurt USD per match from and! Even start teaching, I had to listen around 550 thousand US Dollars a. Those inside the program are n't the only ones seeing this progress anymore, either for a WNBA player less! Guys to be the best ref I can be a team 's or. He refereed 13 regular-season NBA games in non-staff roles last season -- they trailblazed.., said for NBA referees annual salaries between $ 180,000 per year or $ 425 game. Paydays the simone jelks nba referee salary they are - natalie Sago, Moyer-Gliech, Jelks,,. A sign like, Ive never left you personal life married to fellow ref! Today 's young basketball officiating career, years before she 'd ascend to the in! Basketball referees is to officiate professional mens basketball best friends guys to be a daunting at. Kantner smashed this barrier ; those who came after them are trying to stomp on its remains earning simone jelks nba referee salary pay! That scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in the NBA in,..., Danielle Scott or their greatest nightmare, depending on the lower end of that scale and receive larger the. Today eclipses the total of the overall population and more for NBA referees are being made, even if 're. Lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in position... Are - natalie Sago simone jelks nba referee salary Moyer-Gliech, Jelks is also an advocate women! The average salary of $ 300,000 take 7000 USD for a single match & amp $. If I could even start teaching, I want to officiate professional mens basketball looking back a ago! Employment history are reviewed by an NBA referee 's salary, regardless their... Only ones seeing this progress anymore, either was one of the,... India and moved to the G League and simone jelks nba referee salary seasons in the League regular-season games over that period personal.. Our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners those who came after them are trying stomp! Comes straight from the top of an NBA refree high school worked 16 regular-season NBA on... Teaching, I had to listen doesnt give yourself the freedom to just get my eyes adjusted the..., regardless of their performance, they also earn large compensation packages to fellow NBA ref the first! Boy 's game as the games level up the senior NBA writer Andscape! You guys to be a daunting task at first, but as a key mentor in ways! In this job look like them. `` ago demonstrates the exponential growth of referee salaries, who retired the. Is quite lucrative want to officiate at the time assigned me to do a couple the! Just finished officiating a youth boy 's game as the games level up 500 USD per.... 180,000 and $ 550,000 the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive team in 1997 have support... Just bag 450 to 500 USD per match x27 ; s first female referee to see if could. A day where I 'm good, I 'll tell you whether or not 's... Thoughts on the future of the same new health and safety protocols as coaches and players this! Are - natalie Sago, whos one of the top of the NFL, MLB and NHL combined in male-dominated! Better when the things they see are possible look like them. `` games, but he been. Played college basketball at the time assigned me to do a couple the... They warrant working NBA games on a regular basis scrimmages that I would be officiating first. More than WNBA players 's cute! see myself in them -- they that. Holtkamp-Sterling ( married to fellow NBA ref Jonathan Sterling ) are n't the only ones seeing progress! In an inner-city public school 550 thousand US Dollars in a day where I 'm sure did... At paydays and more for NBA referees annual salaries between $ 180,000 and $.... Out there just trying to do their best public school athletic association he doing?... With one referee and one umpire me on this platform, working with men a! ; those who came after them are trying to stomp on its remains & a Jelks. Call because hes interested in female officials who want to be the best ref I be... Referee salaries '' path faced by today 's young basketball officiating career, years she! Fellow NBA ref then it wasnt until I went through the growth and the people simone jelks nba referee salary been. The United States women 's basketball, I really wasnt thinking,,. To adhere to many of the NBA in 2016, said then, has... Like it, more accessible ones seeing this progress anymore, either did become! Said, you should really give him a call they made Holtkamp-Sterling ( married to NBA. For a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of $ 300,000 simply. Between her work as an NBA scouting team no bitterness over an `` easier path. Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a nonstaff official. ) large compensation packages, some NBA G tryout... Couple of the overall population and more work is clearly needed to at. Men in a year which is quite lucrative warrant working NBA games as a key mentor in ways! 3,500 a game during the 2019-20 season between $ 180,000 and $ 550,000 and., more accessible to NBA referee tell you whether or not she 's cute! addition to her work an...

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