Is NFL ref a full time job?

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 referees have full-time 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.

What do NFL refs do during 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 does a NFL Ref work?

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 NFL referees have other jobs?

NFL officials are flying home … or to wherever their other jobs take them. The vast majority of the 119 NFL officials have second careers.

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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 NFL refs 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 refs travel with teams?

While the NFL will cover their travel expenses, refs usually have to make their own travel arrangements and do not travel with the NFL players. Refs tend to arrive at their destination the day before the game.

Do NFL refs get punished?

The NFL does evaluate each official after every game, and they can be written up for bad calls or being out of position on plays.

Are NFL refs still part-time?

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.

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.

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.

Do professional refs 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.

What benefits do NFL referees get?

Being an NFL referee is only a part-time job. They don't receive benefits, though they do receive a 401k plan.

Do NFL referees need a college degree?

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.

Do refs gamble?

Rules for referees go considerably further. They are prohibited from “participating in any gambling or placing bets of any kind.”

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.

Is it easy to become an NFL referee?

It is not impossible to become a National Football League referee, but it is not easy either. Whether you have refereed for a long time or are just starting out, if you want to become an NFL referee, you will need dedication, experience, and practice.

What sport pays refs the most?

The highest-paid referees of any sport are those in the NBA, the world's biggest basketball league. Elite NBA refs like James Capers have a reported salary of $550,000, with the chance to earn more by officiating playoff games. Even without post-season games included, the average salary of an NBA ref is $375,000.

Are NFL refs allowed to bet?

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 officials have regular 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.

How much do NFL refs make per game?

They Earn 5 Figures Per Game

With 18 weeks in the NFL regular season, a referee would make an estimated $11,388.89 per NFL game.

Are football referees self employed?

The Tribunal therefore, concluded that the referees in question should be considered self-employed and were not employed under contracts of service during the periods under appeal. PGMOL's appeal was allowed.