Here comes the tournament that has excited basketball fans since 1939! The 2025 March Madness tournament kicks off with Selection Sunday on March 16. Once again, we’re about to witness teams battling for a shot at the national championship.

But while the spotlight is on the players, they’re not the only ones putting in serious work. The officials calling these intense games will have to be at the top of their game, too. And with great responsibility comes great reward, right? 

What’s the paycheck for NCAA referees in March Madness?

For the spoiler, it’s not NBA-level money, but it’s not too shabby, either. Just like most jobs in the country, NCAA referees get paid based on their experience and performance. The pay structure is designed to reward those who advance deeper into the tournament.

• First round: Roughly $3,000 per game
• Regional finals (Elite Eight): Around $5,000 per game
• Final Four: A massive jump to about $10,000 per game

That’s some solid money for a night’s work, but let’s not forget that these refs have to be flawless under high-pressure situations, with fans, players, and coaches breathing down their necks.

During the regular season, Division I referees already make good money, earning anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500 per game. For referees in Division II and III, the pay isn’t as high due to lower revenue and visibility. They typically earn between $500 to $1,500 per game, with the higher end usually reserved for championship matchups or top-tier conferences. Then, if you’re an elite referee who gets selected for postseason games year after year, your annual earnings can surpass $200,000. That includes regular-season games, conference tournaments, and March Madness.

Well, did this pay structure make you wonder, “Hey, I could do this?” Let us tell you, it’s a process. 

Want to be an NCAA referee? Here’s the playbook

Mastering the rules is the first step. Start by familiarizing yourself with the official rulebook for college basketball. Understanding the rules and their interpretations is essential for making accurate calls on the court.

Attending officiating clinics is another crucial step. Look for officiating clinics and workshops offered by local officiating associations, college athletic conferences, or national organizations like the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These clinics provide valuable training on rules interpretation, mechanics, positioning, and game management.

Another mandate is getting certified. Obtain officiating certification from a recognized governing body, such as the NCAA or a state high school athletic association. Certification typically involves passing written exams, attending classroom sessions, and completing on-court evaluations to assess your officiating skills.

Then, experience is key. Participate in officiating games at the youth, high school, and recreational levels. Starting with lower-level games allows you to develop your officiating skills in a less intense environment before progressing to higher levels of competition.

Often neglected, but we have got physical fitness next. Basketball officiating requires agility, endurance, and quick reflexes. You must maintain a regular fitness regimen that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises. However, one thing that is non-negotiable is integrity. This job is definitely not for you if you don’t hold to the principles of sportsmanship and fair play.

Last but not least, you have to thrive under pressure. If you’ve been following college hoops this season, you know that officiating has been a hot topic. So, refs are always under scrutiny. Ever since conference games began this season, fans and even coaches have been venting their frustrations about the officiating. As the mad month is here, they demand better officiating. 

Fans call for better officiating in March Madness

Fans’ frustration with referees has been a season-long theme, and the last thing they want is to see the same officials making questionable calls in March Madness. 

If the referees from today’s Northeast Conference tournament game show up during March Madness, fans are in for a rough time. So here’s what went down. No. 6 Wagner and No. 3 Saint Francis were tied at 55-55 as the clock was expiring. 

One of the Saint Francis guys went up for a three, and it was a straight-up airball. It should’ve been OT, right? Instead, the refs decided Wagner committed a foul. Three free throws later, Saint Francis walks away with a 58-55 win. Fans were furious, to say the least.

And this isn’t the first time we’ve had some head-scratching calls. Remember that Kentucky vs. Alabama game last month? One of the calls had Kentucky’s Otega Oweh getting whistled for a foul on Mark Sears early in the second half. 

It was almost like the refs waited to see if the shot would drop before deciding to blow the whistle. Naturally, Kentucky fans weren’t having it.

And Duke fans have had their share of referee-induced nightmares, too. That showdown against NC State was an electric game. Duke pulled off a 74-64 win, staying perfect in ACC play, but the way the whistles were flying, it was a total momentum killer. Social media lit up with complaints over the inconsistency.

Obviously, how can we not talk about UConn? Maui nightmares, anyone? It was a foul fest. Even in the Creighton game, UConn’s Liam McNeeley picked up a crucial foul late, and Hurley literally dropped to his knees in protest. Yes, it’s been that kind of stretch for the Huskies.

So, are these refereeing issues gonna follow us into March? Well, let’s see… or maybe let’s hope not, for everyone’s sake.