I'm not sure what NFL officials make, but I'm sure it is in the same ballpark, so to speak. I can't imagine why it would be. They work less than a quarter of the number of games, and it seems to me that the physical demands on the football ref are lower. (Of course, they do have the constant threat of being steamrolled by a fully-equiped 2-ton human wrecking ball... but still.) The N.F.L.'s Officials Association signed a 6 year contract in September 2001 that gave officials an immediate 50% pay increase. First year officials went up to $29,000, 20 year Refs went to $90,000, crew chiefs to $100,000. By 2006 1st year officials were at $34,000, ten year officials to $64,000, and 20 year refs went from $90,000 in 2001 to $100,000 in 2002, and increases of $5,000 each year after that. Playoff money and pension contributions were also increased and for the first time the league agreed to match officials' contributions to their retirement plans. Not N.B.A., N.H.L., or M.L.B. numbers, but pretty good for a one day a week job for 16 weeks or so a year, plus playoffs.
Yea, and the doping scandals in cycling caused all the other cyclists to lay off the dope...and Paris Hilton's troubles with the law scared Lindsay Lohan straight. And what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Your analogies don't add up. doping scandals in cycling caused all the other cyclists to lay off the dopeObviously it hasn't (yet), but those who dope certainly aren't going home with the yellow jersey any more are they? Even if they were, this argument has little bearing here unless you'd care to argue that the directors are shaving seconds off of riders time trials. Paris Hilton's troubles with the law scared Lindsay Lohan straightTrue. But neither of these two young women's "jobs" are centered around their integrity to begin with. If nothing else, the negative publicity they receive for their actions actually bolsters their "Q rating" and "marketability". NBA referees, by and large are not the focus of the game, unlike the subjects in your examples. I don't think its beyond reason to assert that referees, who were scrutinized already, will feel the pressure to "make the right call" this upcoming season. Mind you, the original post does not imply that the refs are going to get every call perfect this season, as you are implying. I'll post the quote again:
Is there anyone who seriously doubts that 2007-2008 NBA season won't be the most carefully refereed collection of sporting events in modern history?
Not to split too fine a hair here, but in response to this scandal the officiating will be deliberated, debated, and pored over quite a bit this oncoming season. One would think that would make the zebras a little tense (dare I say careful?) about which way that charge/block foul goes, right call or no.
Not N.B.A., N.H.L., or M.L.B. numbers, but pretty good for a one day a week job for 16 weeks or so a year, plus the playoffs. Too bad they're all corrupt, gambling on the game, living the high-life in big mansion, crushing the dreams of all us fans, pumping up they're biceps (steroids Hochuli? Hmmm...) no-goodniks.
lilnemo...chill out dude... the Hilton/Lohan line was a joke. As to the cyclists, that was in reference to your thought that the Donaghy mess would scare others straight. Reality doesn't back that up. Steroids persist, doping persists, and this is not the first point shaving/adding case. The doping cases have all but killed cycling...who cares about the Tour de France this year? The Bonds steroid saga has ruined what should be a wonderful moment in sports. Athletes (and celebrities, thus the Hilton/Lohan line) seem to think that they are above the law and won't get caught. Or, at least, they will just get a slap on the wrist if they do get nabbed. While I do agree that officials are probably a more containable group, I still think that there is room for question. There will still be ones that pile up huge debts, and people in bad situations sometimes make bad judgements. My main concern for the NBA is that this fall, every questionable call will start the debate on whether or not that official was fixing the game. You know, on second thought, maybe it will lead to less calls and thus faster games. Could be a good thing.
lilnemo...chill out dude... the Hilton/Lohan line was a joke. Granted. I got the joke. But my point still stands. As to the cyclists, that was in reference to your thought that the Donaghy mess would scare others straight. Go back. I didn't write any of that. The italicized text is quoted from the link given. My larger point (and if I may impose, the original author's point) still stands. I'm not arguing that this would "scare others straight" but that it would affect the officiating this coming season. That bringing this aberration out into the open could lead to better transparency in how officials are rated/judged by the league. And the end result of that is better officiating. Steroids persist, doping persists, and this is not the first point shaving/adding case.Yes, doping continues. But not without consequences. The doping cases have all but killed cycling...who cares about the Tour de France this year?I'm thinking the French still care. But then, they always have. The Bonds steroid saga has ruined what should be a wonderful moment in sports.Depends on your perspective. But even then, its not like people are boycotting the games. While I do agree that officials are probably a more containable group, I still think that there is room for question.Absolutely. We are on the same page here. There will still be ones that pile up huge debts, and people in bad situations sometimes make bad judgements.True. But these people are the exceptions and not the rule. My main concern for the NBA is that this fall, every questionable call will start the debate on whether or not that official was fixing the game.Exactly. Which is why this scandal could be good for the game. By calling the integrity of the officiating into question, the league will have to be more transparent about their refs in order to demonstrate that Donaghy doesn't represent all referees. Only himself. The pressure for clarification and examination should lead to better calls, if not a better understanding of the judgement behind them. I think we are a lot closer to agreement than you realize.
alright lilnemo, here's my last response on this thread, well probably my last. Saying that the French still care is kind like saying that die-hard Giants/Bonds fans still care. Yea, but no one else does, and that is sad. Both the race and Bonds getting the record should be fun to watch...they are not. I do not know of one person that thinks the steroid issue in baseball has not diminished (maybe ruined is too strong of word for most) the excitement surrounding this. Even the commissioner of baseball had doubt about attending, what kind of message is that? We do disagree on why this scandal may be good for the NBA...you think it will increase the integrity of the officiating, I think it will just cause many of the officials to swallow their whistle. have a great evening!
First of all, the magic number as far as percentages go is 52.6%--that's what you need to make a profit laying 11-to-10 odds (the standard, at least in the casinos, for even bets). And a question. Do NBA officials work in the same trios all season, as baseball/football crews do (allowing for vacations and such)?
Saying that the French still care is kind like saying that die-hard Giants/Bonds fans still care. Yea, but no one else does, and that is sad. Both the race and Bonds getting the record should be fun to watch...they are not. I do not know of one person that thinks the steroid issue in baseball has not diminished (maybe ruined is too strong of word for most) the excitement surrounding this. Hi. My name is grum@work, and I am not a Giants fans (Toronto would be my team affiliation). I am a fan of great ballplayers in general, like Bonds, ARod, Maddux, Clemens, Pujols, etc. The home run chase is fun for me. The steroid issue has not diminished my excitement for this big moment in baseball. Even the commissioner of baseball had doubt about attending, what kind of message is that? The message I got is that Bud Selig is a moron. He should have been doing everything he could to provide a strong public image about Bonds/Aaron. Instead, he pussy-footed around and mealy-mouthed his way into position he should have taken from the beginning.
grum, if you are truly saying that the whole steroid issue has not diminished the fun, and excitement, of the Bonds chase for you, well, then I guess I know one person that can say that. I know that the media does not share that feeling with you, major league baseball does not share that feeling with you (not just Selig, players have spoken out recently as well). I do not just blame Bonds for this. Sosa, McGuire, Palmerio and the rest share the blame. By the way, wasn't this a basketball thread?
The home run chase is fun for me. It is for me as well. Although the endless coverage on ESPN, the World Wide Leader in All Things Barry Bonds can get rather annoying.
