Do NFL refs have real jobs?

Officials are considered to be part-time employees of the NFL. As a result, they don't receive insurance benefits. However, they do have a 401k plan with a partial matching contribution. They also have representation from the NFL Referees Association.

Do NFL referees have other jobs?

To this day, the NFL's 124 officials work on a contractor basis. They are paid well, but most of them have "day" jobs during the week and throughout the offseason. Some, including referees Walt Anderson and Terry McAulay, are officiating supervisors at the college level.

How do NFL referees get their jobs?

The path to becoming an NFL referee is a long one. In order to be considered for the position, referees are expected to have at least ten years of experience. This experience is usually gained by refereeing high school games, college games, and semi-pro games.

What do NFL refs do in off season?

Officials go to organized team activities (OTAs), minicamps and training camps, where they officiate practices and call preseason games to get into regular-season form. They prepare for these games as they would for the regular season, and they are evaluated the same way.

How many hours do NFL referees work?

A conservative estimate is 20-25 hours week – not including travel. For head referees 30-35 hours. But there's always another game to watch or another page in the rule book worth re-reading.

Do most NFL refs have other jobs?

Do NFL refs have to pay for travel?

Refs are required to arrive at least 24 hours before a game. They fly first-class and the league covers all their travel expenses.

Do NFL referees get benefits?

Officials are considered to be part-time employees of the NFL. As a result, they don't receive insurance benefits. However, they do have a 401k plan with a partial matching contribution. They also have representation from the NFL Referees Association.

Are NFL refs full time jobs?

All of the referees on the NFL officiating roster are part-time and have what is called 'a dark period' between the end of the season and the middle of May. That time and during the summer is when they typically focus on their other job.

Do NFL refs have 2 jobs?

Six and a half hours is an eternity for an NFL game official, who has to make split-second decisions on the field. “I like having two different jobs,” Hill said. “One of the things that I find fascinating is this is my day job and everything we do is very calculated.

Do refs favor home teams?

Not intentionally, but it seems at times that the crowd and the official's familiarity with what the home team is trying to accomplish do influence a referee's subconscious, and as a result—his whistle. Statistics prove that home teams receive more calls in their favor.

What is NFL referee salary?

The NFL won't disclose how much money their referees make, but based on the expired collective bargaining agreement from 2019, officials made an average of $201,000 per year, according to Money.com. That accounts for all officials that appear on the field, which means the head referees for games could make even more.

Who is the highest paid NFL referee?

Who Is the Highest-Paid NFL Referee? The highest-paid NFL referee reportedly is Brad Allen. Walt Anderson did top the list up until the end of the 2021-2022 season when he retired. Both refs made about $250,000 for the 2021-2022 season.

What is the average NFL referee salary?

The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.

Are NFL refs volunteers?

NFL refs continue to volunteer for said duty, however, meaning there must be some benefit to this gig long-term. So, how much do NFL officials make?

Do NFL refs go to school?

There are no specific education requirements for working in the NFL as a referee. Many NFL referees have at least a bachelor's degree in any major, though. Those majoring in sports health, sports management or a related field may become more prepared for the role.

Can NFL refs bet on games?

Are referees allowed to bet on games? Here is the NFL's policy on gambling - these rules include everyone associated with the NFL, including officials. The NFL prohibits all players from gambling on any sports and gives long suspensions to any who do.

Do NFL refs ever get fired?

No, but they do get written up. At the end of every game, each official's work is evaluated by senior non-field referees. They're not just looking for bad calls, but other things that you wouldn't even notice like an official being out of position or not paying attention in a critical situation.

Is there an age limit for NFL referees?

The NFL hires most officials between the ages of 40 and 45. So, simple math indicates any official who has put in 20 years has the retirement window open. Some officials suffer chronic pain or get injured before age 60 and have to retire.

How do NFL refs stay warm?

Hochuli told me that most of the referees will wear a full body wetsuit as their first layer. Then, they will put on 2 to 4 layers of cold weather compression gear over that -- on the legs and upper body. And on top of that, the uniform. The pants of the uniform are heavy as well.

How much waterboys get paid in the NFL?

Thieneman's latest clip, which drew nearly 300,000 viewers in one day, claims that the average NFL water boy salary is actually around $53,000. That figure is also reported elsewhere, such as the sports website Stack, although data from the league itself isn't readily available.

Do NFL refs get punished?

No, but they do get written up. At the end of every game, each official's work is evaluated by senior non-field referees. They're not just looking for bad calls, but other things that you wouldn't even notice like an official being out of position or not paying attention in a critical situation.

How much does a Super Bowl ref make?

The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.

How much does an NFL cheerleader make?

A report just last year from NBC News pinpointed the average pay for NFL cheerleaders to be about $150 a game, or roughly $22,500 a year, which is not much different than what it was reported to be in the original Raiders lawsuit.

Do NFL refs get rings?

Receiving a Superbowl ring

A Superbowl ring is obviously a valuable object. Only the winning team gets them, but so do all the referees. The tradition goes all the way back to the first NFL-AFL Championship Game in 1967, which is retroactively called Superbowl I.

Do NFL players fly first class?

With its sophisticated interior and first-class service, it's no surprise that NFL players have come to trust and rely on this type of transport for all of their travel needs.