How Much Do NBA Referees Earn Per Game? Exploring Basketball’s Divisive Job in Light of Rudy Gobert’s Allegations

Minnesota Timberwolves star player Rudy Gobert was the topic of the conversation last night after a close-fought game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rudy Gobert flashed a ‘money sign’ at referee Scott Foster after he was called for his sixth foul of the night and ejected from the game. The move came as an outlet of frustration from Gobert, due to which, he was also handed a technical foul. And this foul became the decisive point of the game.

The Timberwolves were leading the Cavs 97-96 with just 27.8 seconds on the clock. However, the technical foul allowed Cleveland to tie the score and force overtime. The T-Wolves headed into the OT with frustration and lacked one of their pillars, which eventually led to a 113-104 loss. While Rudy Gobert was upset about the loss, he didn’t back down on his money allegation. In fact, he even blamed the rise of gambling around the NBA which has sparked a conversation and furthered the league’s ire on him.

What did Rudy Gobert have to say about betting and is it really significant?

Being an NBA referee is a tough job. Referees must have a deep understanding of the NBA rulebook and be able to make split-second decisions in a fast-paced and often chaotic environment. They also need to maintain their physical strength and maintain fitness to keep up with the players. NBA referees reportedly earn around $500,000 per year on average, with some veteran referees earning significantly more with additional compensation for playoffs and other special assignments.

The referee who fouled out Gobert against the Cavs, Scott Foster, is one of the highest-earning officials and makes $550,000 a year. Moreover, the NBA also offers several healthcare and retirement benefits to the match officials as well. Thus, it is debatable if his remark is true or not.

While acknowledging his outburst as a mistake, Gobert stood to his opinion that sports betting is having undue influence on the game. “I’ll bite the bullet again” he stated. “I’ll be the bad guy… I think it’s hurting our game.” It’s likely that Gobert might get fined and may even get suspended for a few games. Timberwolves assistant coach criticized Gobert’s behavior, highlighting the negative impact on the team’s chances.

Read More: NBA Referees Face Explosive Allegations; Timberwolves Center Rudy Gobert Alleges Bias

NBA has a long history of officiating controversies. In 2002, officiating mistakes played a huge role in the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. In 2007, Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee, used to bet on games he officiated in the mid-2000s. He made calls to influence the point difference between teams.

Is Betting Swaying the Stripes?

The accusation of Rudy Gobert raises concerns over corruption in the NBA. With the recent rise of sports betting in games. The pressure to manipulate games for specific betting outcomes becomes a real possibility. NBA has strict regulations to prevent such activities but Gobert’s Claim needs to be looked upon. Lucrative Salaries of referees may have some external help.

As the NBA strives to uphold its reputation as a torch-bearer of fair play and competition, the scrutiny of referees and their handling of high-pressure situations intensifies. Only time will tell how Gobert’s allegations will affect the future of NBA referees and broaden the landscape of professional sports and betting.

Read More: “Immature” Rudy Gobert Confesses to Major Blunder That Cost Timberwolves West’s No.1 Throne