Hoops

What do referees get paid?

@Bear,

Yes, but soccer and footy refs also get to stand a lot further away from the abusive parents, which helps

Oh, forgot one other very important factor about soccer referees.

They are much more likely to be abused, cursed and threatened probably 5 times worse than any basketball official would experience.

Don't forget this fact about the round ball game and how violent spectators can be guys...

Perspective!

Perspective is important when making comparisons, a soccer game is much longer and has only one referee supportd by linesmen so you not only have to do the job for twice the time, but you have much, much more responsibility.

In soccer you also have more players to control and I don't think you could manage more than one game in a day. By the time you have kicked up your heels after a tough slog on the soccer pitch, your basketball referee may have done three games and pocket about $40.00 - $50.00 depending on the level and standard.

Yes, soccer probably pays more, but if we are going to compare, why not try and be reasonable about it?

Anon, I agree, I have observed abusive parents, players and spectators. On the other side I have observed some great officials, some very good and level headed ones, but unfortunately as human nature would have it some arrogant and totally useless ones as well.

Could say the same about coaches, administrators and anyone else involved in basketball if we want to get off track.

The point is that we need them all and people won't do it unless they are paid something.

There are worse jobs out there than officiating a game of hoops, but I would challenge the abuse level of say a parking officer at the local city council with that of the referee!

No excuse for these actions, but they are abused much more often than ref's...

It is a great way to earn a dollar and get some fitness at the same time.

However, when it goes wrong and refees have to put up with dessent, violence, ejections or reports and tribunals one does start to wonder about the amount of dollars being offered...