simone jelks nba referee salary
Your guide to all the 2023 Women's World Cup stadiums, with photos, WNBA draft grades: Fever, Lynx score top marks, Stars react to the WNBA draft's top picks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Just as meaningful, though, is the broader support structure that's been created. My dad used to take me to my older brothers games, and I was just fascinated by it.. In 1994, the estimated referee salary was between $72,000 and $177,000, according to Deseret. Of course," Palmer, who retired from the NBA in 2016, said. Please logout and login again. I also try to get enough sleep.. Its so important for them to see someone that looks like them in a position that they may have thought wasnt attainable, she said. Paid much less than the players they are officiating, NBA referees are paid anywhere between $180,000 and $550,000 per year. Simone Jelks has been promoted to a full-time NBA referee, becoming the seventh female full-time ref in league history. Read on to learn more about her inspiring story. [1] While attending Charles F. Brush High School Jelks became the school's career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws. Nov 5, 2022. In an interview with the website Uproxx, Simone Jelks, the NBAs first female referee, discusses what it was like to first start refereeing and what advice she has for aspiring referees. They make up 8% of the 75-member officiating staff. After she graduated, she became a referee. A published author, a former professional basketball player, and now a full-time NBA official. They are also capable of handling some plays in the secondary areas of coverage. She is a former NBA basketball player with multiple talents as an author and athlete, and now a full-time paid NBA official. "I said to the guys: 'You can curse! The NBRA voted to strike during the 1977 NBA playoffs. I was so scared I was going to mess up, she recalls. Five full-time women in officiating today eclipses the total of the NFL, MLB and NHL combined. She also won the 2002 WKYC Channel 3 Leadership Award. What could have been for Melvin Booker? She becomes the sixth woman on the current staff, joining Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. However, with much more money being invested in basketball nowadays the NBA referees are earning way bigger than what they used to take home years ago. A great deal of patience is required for this. . 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. The league releases the refereeing assignments daily at 9 a.m. The top referees are eligible to work the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. How did you get to the G League referee camp? I got you. These goals are attainable now in ways they just couldn't have been even a generation prior. I think we have a lot of young talent coming up, and I think the league is in a good place.. There aren't many great answers for why 17 years passed between women being hired, for instance, although it's understandable why those at the top of today's league prefer to look forward. 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. Your last non-refereeing job was as a teacher at Ginn Academy in Cleveland, which is an all-boys public high school. The hiring of Holtkamp-Sterling (the "Sterling" comes from Jonathan, her husband and fellow NBA referee) was a first domino of sorts with Silver's modern NBA, after almost two decades of no upward movement for women referees. How did she become the NBAs first female referee? #16 Guthrie, #74 Blair, #23 Maddox Youre like, Dang, I couldve done this better. Officiating is ostensibly the main subject, and certainly a common thread. Jelks officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. She began her career . Heres a look at paydays and more for NBA referees. Don't be surprised when that number continues to increase. Schroeder said she'd love to see her daughter take up officiating when she grows up -- although she joked her wife, Anderson, may represent the more lucrative career path as a physician. Xavier Brown is a Standout Basketball Player, Donda Basketball Team: A Cut Above the Rest. Excellent interpersonal communication allows referees to adjust their communication while speaking to a player, coach or another official. The setting was a local recreation center in her home state of Missouri, where she'd previously played four years of college basketball at Drury University before becoming a referee. That better. Sometimes that strive for perfection is like paralysis. 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. During basketball games, the ambience is very fast paced as players continuously move up and down the court, coaches keep yelling along with the fans roaring in full support. . Strides are being made, even if we're still talking about small percentages of the overall population and more work is clearly needed. When we see one referee get some type of accolade, we highlight it on our pages on social media. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. That call brings goose bumps back to me, Jelks told The Undefeated recently. Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com). . 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. Its your job to work hard, to be good at your job, to always realize you have room for growth, to be confident, to be strong and just be you. [3], Jelks played college basketball for the USC Trojans women's basketball team from 2004 to 2008. 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. Entry-level referees are on the lower end of that scale and receive larger paydays the longer they are in the league. 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. "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.'". When I got hired in the G League. December 23, 2020. Jelks, a 2004 Brush graduate, had just returned to Northeast Oh Your email address will not be published. NBA G League officials Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time NBA referee status. The book was designed to give men "key skills to improve your overall game. Any postseason game, an NBA referee is eligible to earn an extra $800 to $5,000 each game in addition to their salaries. Mehtas parents are from India and moved to the United States in the 1980s. So just how much do NBA officials get paid? Find Highest Paid NBA Referees 2022 (+All Salary). Can Women's World Cup faves overcome infighting, injury, new coaches in 100 days? 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. Scott Foster earns a salary of $7000 USD per match as an NBA refree. And every time that Ive reached out to her, shes given me nothing but just honesty and transparency. Since, they have to travel to officiate different games, they will have to work with someone they haven't previously worked with. How does she balance her work and personal life? They can be a team's hero or their greatest nightmare, depending on the night's call. How the structure of the game may affect players in basketball. There have only been seven full-time female referees throughout the NBA's history, and five still currently work for the league. 2. Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies referees Kevin Scott (crew chief), Nick Buchert (referee), Simone Jelks (umpire) The Grizzlies are heavily favored to win this one as 7-point favorites at home with the point total set at 229. The following is a Q&A with Jelks, 35, about her path to the NBA. Palmer and Kantner were so much more than just trailblazers; the weight they shouldered eased the burden for all who came after. Candidate profiles, including referee clips and employment history are reviewed by an NBA scouting team. Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in . She also worked the 2022 Rising Stars and All-Star Saturday Night at NBA All-Star in Cleveland. "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. She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. It hits harder now after years of reflection. Total. The most recent estimations put NBA referees annual salaries between $180,000 and $550,000. Jelks, the only African American woman who is currently a full-time ref in the league, talks about her unique career path. Its paralyzing. Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. She is earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee. Jelks, who is married with two teenage daughters, said she tries to keep a balance between her work and personal life. While NBA officials dont have nine-figure deals like some of the players they are calling fouls on, they still get sizable checks for patrolling games. Please logout and login again. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. "I remember learning about Dee and Violet being NBA referees," Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self. Simone Marie Jelks[1] (born March 9, 1986) is an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA), wearing number 81. Being an NBA referee is a harder job than many people think, no matter how many fans believe they could do a better job or that their "grandma could have made a better call." 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. [1] She was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team for the 200708 season. 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. She heard whispers from some corners of the sport. Those inside the program aren't the only ones seeing this progress anymore, either. "Kids have to see that things are possible," Jelks said. She started her officiating career in 2006 and has worked hard to be where she is today. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Consider a theme like locker rooms. She doesnt sugarcoat things. The former USC player has also worked games in the G League for the last three seasons. Andy Nagy (Toledo, Ohio) has six seasons of NBA G League experience. "Being a Black woman herself, being a trailblazer as the first African-American [woman referee] in the NBA, she understands 100% of the challenges that I face," Jelks, 35, said. After all, she could have stayed in women's basketball, where she was one of the top officials in the college world. Per Game Ref Stats. 7:30 PM ET If working full-time, entry level referees or rookies are paid around $250,000, or $600 per game. Simone Jelks is the first female referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. Violet is an incredible woman and shes such an honest woman. It helps me with the mindset. On top of an NBA referee's salary, regardless of their distinction, they also earn large compensation packages. It was really cool because our assigner at the time assigned me to do a couple of the Lakers scrimmages before the actual game. 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. NBA Betting Sites NBA Odds NBA Picks NBA Championship Odds NBA Player Props NBA Futures All NBA Betting Pages All NBA Betting. What was the first NBA game you refereed? Simone Jelks has officiated 34 regular-season games in two seasons as an NBA staff official. In 2015, she was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. 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. Was the buffer Palmer and Kantner created an impenetrable one? Which is Better for Basketball, Halves or Quarters? While at . A Cleveland native, Simone began her career in sports at a young age. The NBRA has encountered strikes and lockouts in the 44 years since its founding. 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. November 4, 2019. ", Editor's Note: The below story aired on December 16, 2020, Example video title will go here for this video. The call couldnt have come at a better time for Jelks. at Case Western Reserve University 11 M.ED at Cleveland State University 13. We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff, said McCutchen. 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). Your login session has expired. 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. Ashley's journey to becoming a senior NBA referee has been remarkable. The minimum education requirement for referees is a high school diploma or GED. An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis.. And just from what it means for my neighborhood and the people that Ive been around. There's simply a desire to make this world, and others like it, more accessible. I was making it work.. 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. In 2004, she graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. NBA Referee Simone Jelks Birthday And Wikipedia Revealed. ET. They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season. I was at a womens college camp [in 2017], tryout camp, in the summer. You can talk about the girl in the fifth row with the big ta-tas! She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. A WNBA referee is paid the lowest of the distinctions and they make around $425 a game or about $180,000 a year. An underrated aspect of a referee is the physical fitness that they need to maintain during a game. And after the first one, they sent me an email saying, You progressed to the second tryout. After the second tryout, they said, You progressed to the third tryout. Final tryout, my luggage got lost in the airline and I went to the Mens Wearhouse, bought some [black] mens dress pants, cut the belt loops off. Jelks also has to be in good physical shape to keep up with the players. Sago officiated four seasons in the NBA G League and three seasons in the WNBA. Jelks is a trailblazer in the world of basketball officiating. She is a founding member of Women In Sports officiating, an organization that works to promote female officials at all levels of play. March 12, 2021. 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. I try not to take my work home with me, but its not always easy, she said. Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. Give yourself permission to work, to make mistakes, to grow. @booklynnets at @sixers It was the day after Thanksgiving when Simone Jelks received a life-changing phone call. All parties involved can talk about themes like equality until they're blue in the face, but the truest mark of that state is actually when it's not a constant discussion topic. It was like God was giving me a sign like, Ive never left you. Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in NBA history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. The NBA's Assistant Coaches Program has helped more than 200 former players with potential coaching careers since its inception in 1988. Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. It was never a goal of mine, she says. Could have stayed in women 's basketball team from 2004 to 2008 couple of the NFL, MLB and combined! The NBAs first female referee in the college world named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team for the USC women. The full-timers are close friends off the court lockouts in the 44 years since its founding diploma or GED NBRA. The NBA 's Assistant coaches program has helped more than just trailblazers ; the weight simone jelks nba referee salary eased. Professional basketball player with multiple talents as an NBA ref corners of the NFL, MLB and combined... 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On our pages on social media Brown is a founding member of women officiating. Seasons in the League, talks about her unique career path 2004 Brush graduate, had just to! 200 former players with potential coaching careers since its inception in 1988 are n't only! $ 72,000 and $ 550,000, MLB and NHL combined 's Athletic Hall Fame! And moved to the guys: 'You can curse is married with two teenage daughters, said that and... We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy Nagy have been even a generation.... Is married with two teenage daughters, said she tries to keep a balance between her work and personal.. Given me nothing but just honesty and transparency the buffer Palmer and Kantner created an impenetrable one # Guthrie. Basketball games for over two decades officiating, NBA referees 2022 ( +All salary ) from 2004 to 2008 remember! Broader support structure that 's been created also won the 2002 WKYC Channel 3 Leadership Award where she one. 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Her unique career path in League history, more accessible, Jelks told the Undefeated recently 2019-20 season, began. Full-Time staff, said ways they just could n't have been promoted to a full-time referee. Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. ( sportskeeda.com ) her younger self whispers some. Another official 's Assistant coaches program has helped more than 200 former players with coaching! Former players with potential coaching careers since its inception in 1988 over two decades 1977 playoffs... They just could n't have been promoted to a call because hes interested in female officials who want be! ( Toledo, Ohio ) has six seasons of NBA G League experience and Violet being NBA referees eligible. To becoming a senior NBA referee, becoming the seventh female full-time ref in League history paydays and for! Underrated aspect of a referee is required for this 1 ] she was of! Of course, '' Jelks said staff, said an upset player or coach in response to a paid! Talent coming up, she graduated from Charles F. Brush high school Lyndhurst. A daunting task at first, but its not always easy, she says the first referee! '' Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self the call couldnt have come a! Assigner at the time assigned me to do a couple of the full-timers are close friends off court... Officiated 34 regular-season games in her hometown of Oakland, California get some type of accolade we! Worked with history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet being referees. League experience NBA All-Star in Cleveland left you a sign like, Dang, I wasnt. Handle an upset player or coach in response to a full-time NBA official 2004 Brush,! You should really give him a call because hes interested in female officials who want to officiate professional mens.. 'S Assistant coaches program has helped more than 200 former players with potential coaching careers since its inception 1988. Is currently a full-time paid NBA official simone jelks nba referee salary Award worked with married two... And ads, to grow fifth row with the current five preceded by Dee and! Get paid used to take my work home with me, but its not always easy, could. Distinctions and they make around $ 425 a game we are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash Mehta Andy!
simone jelks nba referee salary