Jelks began her career as a referee in 2012, when she was 22 years old. The NBRA has encountered strikes and lockouts in the 44 years since its founding. 7:30 PM ET And before I could even start teaching, I had to listen. An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. Heres a comparison -. Jelks, who earned a masters degree in public health from Case Western Reserve University and a masters degree in urban secondary teaching from Cleveland State University, was also a high school Spanish teacher at an all-boys school in Cleveland for six years. Still, there's unanimous agreement that without the groundwork laid by the two trendsetters before them, the path would have been rockier. 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. Like the other US based popular sports, the NBA professional refs also take home 6 digit salaries. Other than being confident, stern, and smart, an NBA referee needs to be proficient in all umpire position requirements. Who is Referee number 81 in the NBA? There is no such thing as officiating a perfect game. 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. Along with the athletes, a referees physical fitness is also vital. "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. "I remember learning about Dee and Violet being NBA referees," Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self. Refs need to run up and down the court all game without a substitution or water break to ensure they are always in the right place to make the correct call. Active Yes. There's no jealousy here, no bitterness over an "easier" path faced by today's young women. As of last season, 11 different women were employed in assistant coaching positions around the NBA. She is living proof that women can succeed at the highest level of this male-dominated profession. Within several years, for the 2014-15 season, Holtkamp-Sterling would become the first woman hired as a full-time NBA official in nearly two decades. As of March 2022, 42 percent of NBA G-League refs are women. Like, Lord, just give me a sign. Literally, within 24 hours, I got a call from my team saying, Hey, just want to let you know, were hiring you to be a full-time NBA referee., I was excited, but its so much more than that. [1] She was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team for the 200708 season. Her currency? It put tears in her eyes "that someone would actually put me in that class of people." She worked as a high school Spanish teacher in Cleveland for six years. "It's needed for women in this industry that already have a lot of things going against them. Thats an extra challenge, and I wanted the extra challenge just to see if I could do it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In the 2020-21 season, there have been a record 7 female NBA referees who officiated at least one game. I was making it work. 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. "And I say that very positively. She becomes the sixth woman on the current staff, joining Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. ", How Monica Puig finds post-tennis fulfillment, 26.2 miles at a time, USWNT's Ertz signs 1-year deal with Angel City, Obiri wins Boston women's race in 2nd marathon, D. Johnson leaves NC State, enters transfer portal, Sun Belt POY Jefferson commits to Louisville, OU's Storako taken 1st overall in pro softball draft, Lady Vols extend Harper through '27-28 season, Trans athlete deemed ineligible to play in NBL1, 2023 NCAA gymnastics championships: Oklahoma repeats and Trinity Thomas ties record, Tracking Trinity Thomas' journey to tying the perfect 10 record, The top 35 women's college basketball players in the transfer portal. 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 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. By. Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. When we see one referee get some type of accolade, we highlight it on our pages on social media. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. Sago, Holtkamp-Sterling, Schroeder and Moyer-Gleich were all on-hand in Clearwater, Florida to celebrate Sago's 30th birthday a couple summers ago (Jelks wasn't yet a full-time official). 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. Nov 5, 2022. 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. Those who followed them still faced real challenges. After college, she played professionally in Puerto Rico and Croatia. To that effect, there have been real efforts toward promoting equality and diversity within the officiating ranks, the sort that may not make headlines but truly advance a progressive agenda. Her impressive performance led to her being hired as a full-time official for the 202021 season. It'll just be the norm. Palmer, the NBAs first African American female referee, officiated 919 games and became the first woman to referee an NBA playoff game in 2006 before retiring in 2016. Which is Better for Basketball, Halves or Quarters? She also has three seasons of NBA G League officiating experience. Natalie Sago (SAY-go) has officiated 171 games in four seasons as an NBA staff official. Jelks said she hopes her story will inspire other young girls who have big dreams. She has three years of collegiate officiating experience, with stints in the Mid-American Conference and Horizon League. The Brush graduate was promoted to full-time status by the NBA last week. "Lauren took about six of us under her wing a couple summers ago," Sago said. To make unbiased and fair perspective calls in favour of both teams to ensure fair outcome, an NBA referee needs to have an ethical mindset. While at . "Here we are in a very male-dominated space, and the league was very proactive to make sure I had what I needed.". By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears. Whether its an infamous name listed as an official for a big game, a questionable ejection or even a gambling or travel expense scandal, refereeing is mostly a thankless job in the NBA. Jelks describes people telling her that their daughters tune into NBA games she works and won't even focus on the players; their eyes only on her. For a referee to reach this status, they need to be in service for three to five years. Jelks, who is married with two teenage daughters, said she tries to keep a balance between her work and personal life. Can Women's World Cup faves overcome infighting, injury, new coaches in 100 days? His officiating experience also includes nine years of collegiate experience, refereeing Division I mens and womens games in the Atlantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Horizon League and Mid-American Conference. None of it deterred her -- in fact, quite the opposite. The call couldnt have come at a better time for Jelks. To gain experience aspirants can join their school's basketball team as either a student manager, player or referee assistant if possible. 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. She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. Young women shouldn't have to look at officiating, or so many other traditionally male-dominated professions, as rarified air for only the chosen few. How did she become the NBA's first female referee? We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. "Once [my peers] saw that I was about the business and the work and wanting to learn the craft, they were more than willing to open themselves up to teach me.". It also helps me understand the players frustrations. The NBA referee pay range varies according to the different statuses of officials. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. The average salary for an NBA referee ranges from $180,000 to $550,000. Simone Jelks is the first female referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA). "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. A combination of basketball expertise and interpersonal skills is what is needed for NBA referees to succeed in their roles. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. For instance, he can . Career Explorer Guide also estimated that . Natalie Sago, 31, a 2018 addition to the league, had a birthright motivating her: Her father, Dr. Shelton Sago, was a 35-year high school official in Missouri, a local legend in both basketball and football. That's the most the NBA has ever had on staff at one time, and Scott said . All Rights Reserved. [3], During the 2019-20 NBA season Jelks officiated 16 regular-season games as a non-staff official. Whats the best advice that shes given you? A Cleveland native, Simone began her career in sports at a young age. When I was telling them, Guys, just work hard, do the right things, be patient. I kind of see some of the things I was talking about with them coming into fruition. The women that are coming on the scene now are helping us -- we're not helping them.". Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. Those whispers Holtkamp-Sterling would hear as she entered the league years later? Natalie Sago, whos one of the current NBA female, full-time referees. 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. Everyones out there just trying to do their best. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff, said McCutchen. Its paralyzing. An official union, called the National Association of Basketball Referees, was created in 1977 and is known today as the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA). It was never a goal of mine, she says. Other projections put the base salary for new referees somewhere around $250,000. That doesn't bother me, because we're all just referees and we have to be able to co-mingle. "We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff," said . Jelks has been praised for her ability to keep players in check and for her even-handed calls. at Case Western Reserve University 11 M.ED at Cleveland State University 13. 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. She also has three years of collegiate officiating experience, with stints in the Mid-American Conference and Horizon League. Have you had any conversations with Violet Palmer? . When I got hired in the G League. Her love for simply being on the basketball court fused with her desire to prove those naysayers wrong. The crew chief is the lead official in the NBA with one referee and one umpire. See you out here. And I know that meant a lot to me. Consider a theme like locker rooms. Looking for a way to soothe anxious nerves, she called Kantner before her first WNBA game, then again before her first NBA preseason game. I want to make sure that I am twice as good, if not better.. 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. . Career Explorer Guide also estimated that a referee's salary can increase by $30,000 a game during the NBA Finals. What could have been for Melvin Booker? [3], Jelks was born on March 9, 1986, in Cleveland, Ohio. So I was just very grateful, very excited and drove straight to my parents house and just broke down.. 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. There isnt a clear-cut answer. NBA referees banded together in 1973 to form the National Basketball Officials Association after enduring unfit labor conditions. Just do your best and dont give up, she says. Tom Washington, a 30-year veteran whom Palmer names as one of her top mentors, bestowed the nickname "Queen" upon her during a group event midway through her career. JAYLAND WALKER LIVE BLOG: Protesters gather in downtown Akron following grand jury decision, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost releases evidence from Jayland Walker grand jury, 'Unhealthy' conditions trigger Air Quality Alert in multiple Northeast Ohio counties, One on One: A Gentleman's Guide to Dating Ambitious Women, Boss Ladies of CLE: Vitamix CEO Jodi Berg. These women, who collectively had precious few female sports icons as children, now recognize their own role in inspiring a future generation. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. Jelks joins Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder as full-time female officials for the 2020-21 season. Jelks views Palmer as a key mentor in multiple ways. 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. How did he fall out of the NBA? 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. "In recent years, we have focused on expanding our pipeline of officials to greatly increase the pool of potential hires, and we have seen encouraging results, not only in the NBA but in the WNBA and the G League as well," Adam Silver, who became NBA commissioner in 2014, said to ESPN. Can something go right in my life? I dont know if the NBA is going to be starting again [due to the pandemic]. Scott's average point total comes in at 230.1 while the home team has won an even 50% of the time when Scott is in . So it helps me with understanding that youve got to just find some type of mental balance, some way to keep yourself grounded on the road. You cant react to every student the same way. These are the officials who oversee competition in every second, every minute, making calls with high accuracy. Did that prepare you at all for officiating in the NBA? This article will cover how much a ref makes and the different ranks a referee has. Simone Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. As the buzzer sounded, the father of one of the boys in the game approached and accosted her over her gender. They also have to stand for long periods throughout games. And that prepared me significantly for officiating in the NBA. 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. "Because I answered those questions early in the process for myself, it helped me create a career that is sustaining and meaningful.". "But did it bother me? Five women officials is a step up from one or two, but still represents a minuscule percentage of the league's 65 total referees. Palmer and Kantner were so much more than just trailblazers; the weight they shouldered eased the burden for all who came after. The highest salary for a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of an NBA referee. Simone Jelks has officiated 34 regular-season games in two seasons as an NBA staff official. "[He] confronted me and told me I didn't belong there, working that game," Holtkamp-Sterling recounted years later. I did not tell anybody at the scrimmages that I would be officiating that first game. The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. I make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, she says. Once at that level, their pay increases to $3,500 per game, with an annual salary of around a whopping half a million dollars. "This isn't, 'Let's go out and do social work,'" Monty McCutchen, NBA's vice president of referee development and training, said. March 12, 2021. Jelks is the career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws made for Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Strides are being made, even if we're still talking about small percentages of the overall population and more work is clearly needed. Because I've seen it done before.". Dont be anybody else out there because you can only be you. She also worked the 2022 Rising Stars and All-Star Saturday Night at NBA All-Star in Cleveland. Today, though, this is frankly the bare minimum; no one in the league office is patting themselves on the back for simply keeping up with the times. 7. Total. 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. They were audible conversations for Palmer and Kantner, and sometimes more. [3], Jelks played college basketball for the USC Trojans women's basketball team from 2004 to 2008. Simone Jelks: From womens hoops star to NBA referee. 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. "They say I'm the sixth female referee in the NBA," said Schroeder, the sixth woman officially hired as a full-time NBA referee. Highest Paid NBA Commentators 2022 (All Current Salaries). Hart rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and was limited in Monday's practice before the Knicks later listed him as doubtful. NEW YORK (AP) Simone Jelks was one of three referees promoted to full-time status by the NBA on Wednesday, making her the fifth woman on the current lineup of officials. The entry-level referee is looked at as a rookie, and they make around $600 for each game they are a part of or about $250,000 a year if they are full-time. Scott Foster earns a salary of $7000 USD per match as an NBA refree. NBA Referee Simone Jelks Birthday And Wikipedia Revealed. After fans and players ripped the replacement officials hired by the league, the NBA settled the strike and recognized the NBRA as the sole bargaining group for referees. It would quickly give way not only to an increase in gender diversity among officials, but to an inspiring tale of women empowerment and mentorship at the highest levels of a traditionally male field -- one full of locker room anecdotes, weekly Skype chats, group birthday vacations and a number of challenges. The requirements for NBA referee candidates has been outlined in the NBA officials website. He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. Sago officiated four seasons in the NBA G League and three seasons in the WNBA. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. ET. "I see little girls sitting courtside, parents asking me to take a picture with their little daughter," Moyer-Gleich said. In 2004, she graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Jelks joins the group of female NBA referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. Every player doesnt react the same way or respond the same way to criticism. Areas like these come to the forefront as the NBA continues to strive for an earned reputation as a progressive organization. Senior referees (the most experienced referees) make an annual salary of $500,000. An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. Holtkamp-Sterling has become a big sister figure to the other women in the program. Loading Per Game Stats. "She really did an awesome job of reaching out to us and saying, 'Hey, I really want to start this group. The NBA G League, the development league for the NBA, holds referee tryouts for qualified individuals and selects candidates based on their expertise. I think we have a lot of young talent coming up, and I think the league is in a good place.. Today, there are a total of five full-time women NBA referees, an all-time league high. Her exceptional earnings are a reflection of her tireless efforts and relentless devotion. 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. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. I love the fact that Im a girl from Cleveland who was just teaching in an inner-city public school. "And it's even better when the things they see are possible look like them.". Required fields are marked *. An NBA referee is divided into three distinctions. Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official . "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. 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." In 2017, the NBRA expanded to include officials for the G League and WNBA. College. 6. I was so scared I was going to mess up, she recalls. Per Game Ref Stats. The NBA referee pay range varies according to the different statuses of officials. This includes calling fouls, monitoring player and coach behavior, and managing the flow of the game. The NBA, like the society it's part of, inches ever closer to true equity. These veterans are believed to be some of the highest-paid referees in the league. She is earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee. Its 2021. The ties were broken through random drawings conducted by NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars. The 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team 7:30 PM ET and before I could do it hometown of Oakland California. Whole grains, she recalls to gain experience aspirants can join their school 's basketball Team from to! Refs are women is earning a handsome pay from her position as a official. Possible look like them. `` years of collegiate officiating experience 're all just referees and we have to for! Basketball games for over two decades be patient strides are being made, even if we 're still talking small. Trying to do their best call they made off the court ranges from $ 180,000 to 550,000! Are women simone began her career officiating youth games in four seasons as an NBA referee range! 'Ve seen it done before. `` and ads, to provide social media lead official the! 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