Recently, news broke that notorious MLB umpire Angel Hernandez retired after three decades on the job. It was newsworthy because he was considered one of the most disliked umpires in the game due to his questionable calls. However, while you may have your feelings about him, it’s important to realize that regardless of the sport, working as an umpire or referee is not always an easy job. There’s a lot riding on their backs. There’s probably a lot more you didn’t realize about these noble professions. That’s why we want to tell you about 12 facts you didn’t know about referees and umpires.
For instance, did you know that an average soccer referee runs between six to eight miles during every game? How about the fact that the numbers of many referees have been retired just like they are with the athletes? Can you guess how many squats an MLB umpire does during a game or how much an NBA ref makes each year? We have the answers. We’ll also tell you how referees get their jobs and how a referee is accountable for their own good or bad calls.
To determine the facts you didn’t know about referees and umpires, 24/7 Tempo went straight to the websites for the MLB, NBA, NFL, and more. We also referenced sports sources, like Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated, to learn more. There’s a lot to know here and we’ll think you’ll have a blast learning it all. Then, once you’ve learned about the refs, learn more about the players with this list of America’s favorite athletes of all time .
There Are Seven Types of Referees in NFL Games
During an NFL game, there are seven types of referees on and around the field. A sampling of their responsibilities include:
- Referee – Oversees the officials and helps to maintain the pace of the game.
- Umpire – Advises the players and counts the offensive players on the field.
- Down Judge – Directs the chain crew among other responsibilities.
- Line Judge – Watches for encroachment and off-sides.
- Field Judge – Watches for blocking and fouls related to illegal use of hands.
- Side Judge – Serves as primary timekeeper
- Back Judge – Counts defensive players and manages TV breaks.
You can see the other responsibilities of these officials here .
How They Become Referees
Unless you’re currently in the industry, one thing you likely didn’t know about referees is how they get the job in the first place. It differs by sport. For MLB umpires, they attend an academy, and if selected, they get to work in the minor league for six to seven years and then they get the chance to go to the big time. NBA referees follow a similar path but typically start in youth leagues or high school sports and work their way up. To become an NFL ref, you must have at least five years in college games.
NBA Referee Earnings
If you wanted to work as a referee in the NBA, you’d have to work your way up the ladder. However, once you’re officiating NBA games, you can expect to earn an average of $375,000 or above per year, depending on experience. There are also potential bonuses for referees to officiate playoff games. The dollar amount of the bonus may differ based on the importance of the game. They pay that much because they want the referees to make the right calls when it matters most.
NFL Referee Earnings
Like in the other sports, the salary an NFL referee earns is based on their experience. However, as of 2024, referees typically make between $205,000 to $250,000 per year. Entry level refs will make less but will still earn a decent living. Officiating games during the postseason will earn a ref more money. The best earring potential comes from working during the Super Bowl. Officials make between $30,000-$50,000 to work during that single game. The amount you would earn also depends on the type of ref you would be during the games.
MLB Umpire Earnings
If you’re able to make your way up the ranks and become an MLB umpire, you can expect to earn around $300,000 per year. Home plate umpires and umpires that have years of experience can potentially earn up to $450,000 per season. There are more baseball games per season than games in the other sports, so technically, an umpire will make a bit less per game, but it’s still a good salary and a decent way to make a living. Work during the postseason or during the World Series, and the pay will increase.
They Retire Referee Numbers
One thing you likely didn’t know about referees is that, like with players, in some cases, a ref is so well remembered that when they retire, they’re number is also retired. The NFL made history in 2014 when they retired the number 70 in honor of official Jerry Seeman, who had a long career before passing away. In the MLB, two numbers have been retired. They include number 3 (Al Barlick) and number 1 (Bill Klem). The only difference is that in the MLB, those numbers can be worn again by future refs.
Soccer Refs Run Miles During a Game
While we know that refs run a lot in all sports, what you likely didn’t know about referees in soccer is how much they run during the 90-minute match. During a game, the ref must stay within 20 yards of the ball so that they can watch and make snap decisions with accuracy. To do so, they must run along with the athletes. If a game goes only 90 minutes, the ref will have run the equivalent of about six to eight miles. If the game goes extra time, they’ll run more. Talk about a workout!
All Referees Must Be In Peak Physical Shape
Like in soccer, during football, hockey, and basketball games, referees must often go back and forth as often as the players themselves. They must be part of the action and see all of the plays and movements with precision. In most sports, running or skating back and forth without many breaks is tough to do, so referees must spend their off-season exercising and training just as much as the players. It’s another thing to keep in mind if you want to work as a referee.
NBA Referees Travel Most of the Year
One thing you likely didn’t know about referees is how frequently they need to travel for work. It’s not unusual for an NBA referee to have to travel for about 25 days every month, and they do that for eight months out of the year. Typically, a NBA referee will officiate between 65-70 games during a season, not including potential playoff games. So, though the pay is good, you’ll be away from home a lot, so there are pros and cons to consider if you’re considering this as a profession.
NBA Referees Must Review Their Work
It’s not uncommon for fans and players to critique the work of a referee during any game, especially if their team loses. However, the referees are also accountable. After the games, referees are given a public report called the “two minute” report. In it, the ref is critiqued for their calls during the last two minutes of each game and overtime. They are also supplied with video so they can review the tape. It’s essential that referees stay on top of their game, and reviewing these materials makes them better.
MLB Umpires Do a Lot of Squats
The home plate umpire has the most important job in baseball. They call the balls and strikes, and their calls can seal the fate of one or both teams in a game. In order to properly call a pitch, the umpire must crouch down. Of course, they can’t stay in that position forever, so the umpire stands up and then crouches down as the pitcher prepares to throw. The league keeps track of these squats, and gives away the “squats crown” at the end of the year. The all-time leader was Tim McClelland, who squatted 11,417 times in 2019.
MLB Umpires Manage the Baseballs
While the spectators will typically only see the umpire when the baseball game starts, the reality is that the umpire is busy before the game even gets going. One of the many responsibilities of the home plate umpire is to inspect all of the balls for the game and ensure that they’re sufficient for the game. They also must ensure that there are enough baseballs available in reserve just in case the intended balls are all lost or damaged during the game. Want to learn more fun facts? Check out the 19 things you didn’t know about the MLB .
The post Revealing the Unknown World of Referees and Umpires appeared first on 24/7 Tempo .
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