The National Football League (NFL) is a multi-billion dollar industry that is home to some of the most talented and respected athletes in the world. As the most popular and lucrative sporting league in the United States, the NFL is also known for its high-paid referees. With an average salary of $205,000 per year, NFL refs are among the highest paid officials in professional sports. But how exactly are NFL refs paid?
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Compensation Structure
NFL referees are paid on a per-game basis, with the amount determined by their experience and seniority. The least experienced referees make a base salary of $2,000 per game, while the most experienced referees can make as much as $10,000 per game. In addition to the base salary, NFL referees also receive a per-diem payment of $500 for each game they officiate. This per-diem payment is intended to help cover the costs of travel and other expenses associated with officiating.
Incentives
In addition to their base salary and per-diem payments, NFL referees also receive incentives for good performance. Referees who are rated highly by the NFL’s officiating department are rewarded with bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per game. This bonus is based on the referee’s performance and is paid out at the end of the season.
Benefits
In addition to their salary and incentives, NFL referees also receive a variety of benefits. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and other perks such as discounts on NFL merchandise.
Workload
NFL referees typically officiate 16 regular-season games per season. This workload can vary from year to year, depending on the availability of referees and the number of games scheduled. In addition to the regular season, NFL referees may also officiate playoff games and the Super Bowl. Referees who are selected to officiate playoff games and the Super Bowl receive additional compensation for their services.
Overall
NFL referees are among the highest paid officials in professional sports. With a base salary of $2,000 per game and incentives for good performance, NFL referees can make as much as $10,000 per game. In addition to their salary and incentives, NFL referees also receive a variety of benefits and typically work 16 regular-season games per season. All of these factors combine to make NFL referees among the highest paid officials in professional sports.