LC
Years ago

NBA faces propsect of "replacement refs"

"The prospect of replacement referees calling NBA games for the first time since 1995 is looming larger by the day after the latest negotiating session between the current refs and league executives broke down Tuesday."

ESPN: http://linky.com.au/h2v4w

"The league is seeking an across-the-board reduction of 10 percent to a referee budget that costs an estimated $32 million. One source said Tuesday that the referees have proposed a reduction of $2.5 million - roughly $700,000 away from the NBA's target - but added that the refs are bracing for a lockout at this point after Stern "shut [Tuesday's] meeting down."

I won't pack my whistle and head over just yet...but even at those figures, being an official in the NBA sounds like it would pay off!

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Skin
Years ago

If movies have taught me anything, this should work out to be a minor setback, as david stern will get celebrities to take over as refs, with hilarious outcomes.

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LC
Years ago

LOL!

Imagine Spike Lee donning a whistle at a Knicks vs Lakers game.

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Skin
Years ago

Billy Crystal reffed in a movie, surely he would be as good as the other refs

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squid
Years ago

These peanuts are not that good, too bad if they don't wish to continue.

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LA Boy
Years ago

I remember watching Leon Wood (one of the NBA refs back in 2003) working out during the NBA offseason. After the workout he keep saying "man! this is one of the hardest job on the planet".

These guys actually trains 4 times a week during the offseason to stay in shape and it's funny watching some of the old bastards out there.

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Big Marty
Years ago

Jack Nicholson takes up a Reffing Job. First game 'Lakers v. Celtics'

JN: "Foul, Celtics No. 33. Looking at Kobe Bryant"
PP: "What sort of Foul is that!?"
JN: "Leave my man Kobe alone"
PP: "What do you mean 'Looking at Kobe'?"
JN: "Technical Foul, No. 33"
PP: "What!?!?!"
JN: "You talked about looking at Kobe"

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LC
Years ago

"The lead negotiator and spokesman for NBA referees announced Thursday that the referees expect to be locked out when exhibition play starts Oct. 1 after contract negotiations with the league broke down this week. Lamell McMorris, in a press release, also asserts that the NBA has begun to contact replacement referees to work in the preseason and perhaps the early part of the regular season."

ESPN: http://linky.com.au/m66px

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LC
Years ago

The NBA is set to proceed with the "replacement referees"...

"The NBA will hold training camp next week with replacement officials, saying the referees union has rejected its final contract offer."

NBA: http://linky.com.au/hfudm

"The NBA's statement said the previous deal gave the referees retirement bonuses of up to $575,000, on top of pension benefits that could exceed $2 million. It said that came on top of compensation totaling nearly $150,000 per year for entry level referees and more than $550,000 annually for the most senior referees."

Maybe now would be a good time to blow the cobwebs off my whistle and head on over? Would be a nice salary to have!

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LC
Years ago

And I just read this on ESPN:

"A referee who was previously fired by the NBA is among the group of replacements who have agreed to participate in training camp next week."

Link: http://linky.com.au/inl2t

Interesting times...

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LC
Years ago

It's actually going to happen folks...

ESPN Link: http://linky.com.au/c4pbr

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Hoops

NBA faces propsect of "replacement refs"

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