simone jelks nba referee salary

She began her career officiating youth games in her hometown of Oakland, California. Her story is an inspiration to aspiring female referees everywhere. 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. . Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. This includes calling fouls, monitoring player and coach behavior, and managing the flow of the game. She doesnt sugarcoat things. You were just doing our scrimmage. And then I remember [then-Lakers guard] Rajon Rondo came over and he just looked and he was like, Congratulations. It's not a big deal anymore," she remembers thinking. Officiating is ostensibly the main subject, and certainly a common thread. That's the most the NBA has ever had on staff at one time, and Scott said . ESPN was unable to obtain comment from Kantner, 60, for this story. It's needed that we strengthen each other emotionally, and just have that good support team.". As of March 2022, 42 percent of NBA G-League refs are women. "I'll prove myself amongst them, so they'll look at me as just a referee," Palmer said of her mindset at the time. 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. 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. I was making it work. Who is female NBA referee? The USC alum,. NBA TV SCHEDULE 2022. So just how much do NBA officials get paid? Top 5 NBA female referees in the game today 1) Lauren Holtkamp. Im never going to be perfect. "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. Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official . A combination of basketball expertise and interpersonal skills is what is needed for NBA referees to succeed in their roles. Referee. "This isn't, 'Let's go out and do social work,'" Monty McCutchen, NBA's vice president of referee development and training, said. I think its important for Young Girls to see women in leadership positions in sports, so I hope to see that continue.. Read More 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 . Candidate profiles, including referee clips and employment history are reviewed by an NBA scouting team. "It's almost normal now. Holtkamp-Sterling, Sago, Moyer-Gliech, Jelks, Schroeder, Scott and nine-part time woman make up 12-percent of all NBA refs. Highest Paid NBA Commentators 2022 (All Current Salaries). Jelks, a 2004 Brush graduate, had just returned to Northeast Oh The benefits of playing quarters in basketball. Xavier Brown has a natural ability to score the basketball and is a gifted shooter. When Holtkamp-Sterling returned to officiating after giving birth in 2019, the league had arranged specific accommodations for her as its first-ever mother to officiate a game. Per Game. And she came up to me after a game and took me aside and said, Hey, heres a card. And it was a card of the NBA officials scout. During the 2019-20 NBA season, he refereed 13 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official. ET here. Before they can reach that level, they are required to have three to five years of experience. NEW YORK Cleveland native Simone Jelks is a woman of many talents. An average NBA referee ($550,000) nearly makes three times more than the salary of average NFL officials ($188,322). This group -- considered to be the cream of the crop around the league -- include names like Scott Foster, James Capers and Sean Corbin. And most importantly they have the ability and awareness to recognize, and appropriately manage shifts in game conditions (intensity, emotions, decorum, style of play etc.). The former USC player has also worked games in the G League for the last three seasons. She is a founding member of Women In Sports officiating, an organization that works to promote female officials at all levels of play. There isnt a clear-cut answer. She was blown away recently when a friend referred to her as the "Jackie Robinson of officiating." And as the first to reach this plateau since, she's turned around and served a similarly important role for those following her. Per Game Ref Stats. Simone Jelks knows that she has to be twice as good as her male counterparts to prove herself on the court. It doesnt give yourself the freedom to just work. So I was just very grateful, very excited and drove straight to my parents house and just broke down.. "I just hope one day we can stop counting. Jelks joins Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder as full-time female officials for the 2020-21 season. Jelks is a trailblazer in the world of basketball officiating. Only after that they become eligible to officiate postseason games where they can earn as high as $10,000/game in the first two rounds which can further increase to over $30,000/game for the referees officiating in the finals and semifinals. Jelks officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. She loves being able to contribute to the game she loves so much. (Danielle Scott is also an African American woman who referees NBA games, but as a nonstaff official.). Absolutely. 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. Legitimate acceptance has come in waves. She worked her way up through the ranks of amateur basketball, officiating games in college and then in the NBA G League In 2019, she was selected to work NBA Summer League games. March 12, 2021. we will inform you about the per match fees as well as the annual salaries of the Highest Paid NBA Referees 2022 (+All Salary). Just be you. Simone Jelks has been promoted to a full-time NBA referee, becoming the seventh female full-time ref in league history. . Each team in the league plays 82 regular-season games over that period. Jelks becomes the seventh female full-time ref in NBA history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. Moyer-Gleich recounts similar experiences. 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 . ", Editor's Note: The below story aired on December 16, 2020, Example video title will go here for this video. Holtkamp-Sterling has become a big sister figure to the other women in the program. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. All five women said they'd absolutely recommend refereeing both men's and women's basketball to any young woman with the drive and dedication. 6. "And I say that very positively. And before I could even start teaching, I had to listen. They were audible conversations for Palmer and Kantner, and sometimes more. 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. In 2014, Simone Jelks was a referee for The News-Herald Classic's girls basketball all-star game at Lakeland Community College. She also worked the 2022 Rising Stars and All-Star Saturday Night at NBA All-Star in Cleveland. Jelks says that becoming an NBA referee was a lifelong dream of hers. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. 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. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Official release. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. . Farmington (Farmington, Mo.) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "And it's even better when the things they see are possible look like them.". 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 next level for basketball referees is to officiate at the high school level by contacting the state's public school athletic association. With such a demanding job, how does she stay fit and healthy? I want to make sure that I am twice as good, if not better.. At times a referee is required to handle an upset player or coach in response to a call they made. "Lauren took about six of us under her wing a couple summers ago," Sago said. The 2004 graduate of Brush High School worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official last season. How the structure of the game may affect players in basketball. Grasping it entirely is a struggle. The average salary for an NBA referee ranges from $180,000 to $550,000. 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. Although the NBA referees dont match the incomes of highly rated NBA stars and coaches, the match officials still grab a healthy amount of money for their duties. 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. Officiating is a full-time job and NBA officials are required to be scholars of the rulebook, process decisions quickly, and maintain tip-top fitness. 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. "Her advice is . Do NBA refs get paid more than WNBA players? All Rights Reserved. Palmer's focus was internal. Included aren't just the five women who have achieved full-time NBA status, but also many more working their way up through the G League or WNBA training ranks. 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. After all, she could have stayed in women's basketball, where she was one of the top officials in the college world. She dedicated herself completely to the game, but also to earning respect just like anyone else. If you love the game, youll find a way to make it happen., ContentsThe NBAs veteran minimum salary is a joke.Why the veteran minimum salary is a joke.How the veteran minimum salary affects NBA players The negative impact of the veteran minimum salary on the NBA.How the veteran minimum salary affects the NBAs competitiveness.The veteran minimum salary and the NBAs luxury tax.How the veteran minimum salary affects the, Read More The NBAs Vet Minimum is a JokeContinue, Contents Dillon Brooks NBA draft story Why Dillon Brooks was drafted Where Dillon Brooks was drafted Who Dillon Brooks was drafted by What Dillon Brooks draft stock was How Dillon Brooks game will transition to the NBA What kind of player Dillon Brooks is What Dillon Brooks strengths are What Dillon Brooks weaknesses areHow Dillon, Read More Dillon Brooks Drafted Into the NBAContinue, Contents Xavier Brown is a standout basketball player because of his unique skillset and ability to make an impact on the court. Besides, the amount increases as the games level up. I grew up watching her.". And I think that helps me with my communication. The top referees are eligible to work the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. Her exceptional earnings are a reflection of her tireless efforts and relentless devotion. Her love for simply being on the basketball court fused with her desire to prove those naysayers wrong. It stuck for good, always as a term of endearment. 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 think we have a lot of young talent coming up, and I think the league is in a good place.. Just do your best and dont give up, she says. 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. What advice does she have for aspiring referees? NBA referees will have to adhere to many of the same new health and safety protocols as coaches and players are this season. pic.twitter.com/yaosBWGnki. "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. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. This page is not available in other languages. Jelks also has to be in good physical shape to keep up with the players. It also helps me understand the players frustrations. Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. 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. You cant react to every student the same way. What advice would you give to others who wants to be like you? "Because I answered those questions early in the process for myself, it helped me create a career that is sustaining and meaningful.". Your login session has expired. 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. Jelks has been officiating basketball games for over two decades. She started her officiating career in 2006 and has worked hard to be where she is today. The highest and final level an NBA referee can reach is the senior-level ref. What was the first NBA game you refereed? He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. He also has NCAA Division III and junior college officiating experience. Its been great to see more women getting involved in coaching and refereeing, she said. There have only been seven full-time female referees throughout the NBA's history, and five still currently work for the league. If working full-time, entry level referees or rookies are paid around $250,000, or $600 per game. Give yourself permission to work, to make mistakes, to grow. Jelks says that her favorite way to stay active is by playing basketball Its a great workout and its also a lot of fun, she says. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. 7. There is no consensus answer to how much money NBA referees are paid by the league. She struggled at times with the constant demands from those she encountered, both stated and implied, to justify herself or explain her pursuit of success in a heavily male-dominated field. There's no jealousy here, no bitterness over an "easier" path faced by today's young women. "[The NBA] worked closely with me to make sure that the locker room was where I needed it to be as a nursing mother," Holtkamp-Sterling said. 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. 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. "We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff," said . I never met Natalie before. I was at a womens college camp [in 2017], tryout camp, in the summer. Holtkamp-Sterling, now 40, had just finished officiating a youth boy's game as the solo referee. Work as a referee for youth basketball. 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. 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. 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. In addition to her work as an official, Jelks is also an advocate for women in sports. They are - Natalie Sago, Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Simone Jelks, Dannica Mosher, Jenna Schroeder and Danielle Scott. These goals are attainable now in ways they just couldn't have been even a generation prior. Please logout and login again. 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 . Still, there's unanimous agreement that without the groundwork laid by the two trendsetters before them, the path would have been rockier. 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. 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 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. Your email address will not be published. The women that are coming on the scene now are helping us -- we're not helping them.". Which is Better for Basketball, Halves or Quarters? 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. Did that prepare you at all for officiating in the NBA? 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. I was able to just get my eyes adjusted to the speed of play. Jelks joins the group of female NBA referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. 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. 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. Every player doesnt react the same way or respond the same way to criticism. The requirements for NBA referee candidates has been outlined in the NBA officials website. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. An NBA referee needs to be confident, stern, smart, and aware to make a call in a high-pressure environment with 20,000 fans cheering or booing at them. Jelks is the career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws made for Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. "Being able to see myself in them -- they trailblazed 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. She is earning a handsome pay from her position as a NBA referee. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. So whats her advice for aspiring referees? What could have been for Melvin Booker? Those who followed them still faced real challenges. A lot of times in officiating, were on the road for 20 days and then go home for a few days and then get back on the road. And that has helped me tremendously. I was making it work.. Because I've seen it done before.". Five women officials is a step up from one or two, but still represents a minuscule percentage of the league's 65 total referees. I was so scared I was going to mess up, she recalls. Its paralyzing. Jelks, who is from Richmond, Virginia, went on to play college basketball at James Madison University. Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling remembers feeling vulnerable, but not intimidated. 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. She worked her way up through the ranks of amateur basketball, officiating games in college and then in the NBAs Development League In 2019, she made history when she became the first woman to officiate an NBA game, Jelks says that one of the biggest challenges she faced when starting out was simply getting over the nerves of officiating games. What it means for what Ive accomplished personally. Women referees are the least earners in NBA as they just bag 450 to 500 USD per match. When we see three females working the G League together, we're empowered, we're inspired. This biographical article relating to United States women's basketball is a stub. 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. There is the entry-level ref, the WNBA ref, and the senior-level referee. So I was on an emotional roller-coaster ride thinking, Man, like, what is going on? Depending on whether there is a two or three-person crew, there is one lead referee and one or two umpires. "She did it way before all of us, before the world we live in now that's all accepting," Moyer-Gleich said of Kantner. A great deal of patience is required for this. margin, W/L and more. Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. I would love for you guys to be a part of it.' They can be a team's hero or their greatest nightmare, depending on the night's call. 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. Road trips can be 24 to 25 days per month sometimes. They also have to stand for long periods throughout games. They make up 8% of the 75-member officiating staff. [3][4] Jelks along with Andy Nagy and Suyash Mehta were promoted to the NBA officiating staff on December 23, 2020. NBA Referees Category Based Salary Chart: Category . "Here we are in a very male-dominated space, and the league was very proactive to make sure I had what I needed.". She was named to the schools Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. By. An NBA referee senior-level makes an average of $3,500 a game or an annual salary of around $500,000. In March 2015, the NBA began issuing Last Two Minutes reports that detail the performance of referees at the ends of games which the . Simone Jelks is the first female referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA). These women, who collectively had precious few female sports icons as children, now recognize their own role in inspiring a future generation. How does having played at USC and internationally help you in this job? And that prepared me significantly for officiating in the NBA. They allow the league's scouts to evaluate larger swaths of the population and identify greater cumulative talent. So, I love my job because of what it means on a larger level. Simone Jelks: From womens hoops star to NBA referee. "Kids have to see that things are possible," Jelks said. Of course," Palmer, who retired from the NBA in 2016, said. 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. "It's needed for women in this industry that already have a lot of things going against them. The NBA has made significant alterations since Palmer and Kantner's day, where the league would have to improvise a makeshift women's locker room in arenas that weren't prepared for them. 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. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. Your login session has expired. NBA referees also receive numerous benefits like travel expenses, insurance and retirement plans. How did he fall out of the NBA? Scott, the daughter of college basketball officials, was promoted Monday to the full-time NBA staff referee roster. There is no such thing as officiating a perfect game. Heres a comparison -. You can talk about the girl in the fifth row with the big ta-tas! In 1994, the estimated referee salary was between $72,000 and $177,000, according to Deseret. Simone Jelks is making history as the first female referee in the NBA. Jelks said she hopes her story will inspire other young girls who have big dreams. Along with the athletes, a referees physical fitness is also vital. But no one, not by a long shot, thinks the work is done. Register to officiate through the National College Athletic Association (NCAA). Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy were also promoted to full-time on Wednesday. "There's no reason why we shouldn't have more women as officials, coaches and basketball executives in our league," Silver said. Brooklyn Nets 123-95 Boston Celtics: Twitter goes berserk as Kevin Durant steals Christmas from Tatum and co. (sportskeeda.com). The same advice that Violet gave me, Be yourself, because thats the only person you can be. Her currency? In 2015, she was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. The highest salary for a WNBA player is less than the minimum salary of an NBA referee. Its not your job to make people comfortable with you. "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.". Entry-level referees take way less than the seniors as they get paid just 2 thousand USD for operating a game. "Her advice is always authentic.". This skill becomes important in those instances. After she graduated, she became a referee. Jelks became the seventh woman to be a full-time NBA referee. Salaries Salaries; Odds Odds; Awards Awards; Jelks now 7th woman to be full-time NBA ref. But once I got a few games under my belt, I realized that it wasnt as difficult as I thought it would be.. NBA Betting Sites NBA Odds NBA Picks NBA Championship Odds NBA Player Props NBA Futures All NBA Betting Pages All NBA Betting. The pros and cons of, Read More Which is Better for Basketball, Halves or Quarters?Continue. Read on to learn more about her inspiring story. Career Explorer Guide also estimated that . "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. 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. 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 by Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Referee Development and Training. Localizacin. After college, she played professionally in Puerto Rico and Croatia. Can something go right in my life? I dont know if the NBA is going to be starting again [due to the pandemic]. As of last season, 11 different women were employed in assistant coaching positions around the NBA. But Palmer and Kantner's influence on today's generation is immense and undeniable. "I remember learning about Dee and Violet being NBA referees," Holtkamp-Sterling said of her younger self. He worked 13 NBA regular-season games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. I thought that was awesome. By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears. What is he doing now? The junior officials can earn up to 150K USD in a year. 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. [2] As of the 202021 NBA season Jelks has officiated 49 regular-season games, including 16 regular-season games as a non-staff official during the 201920 NBA season.

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