The real salary of a professional basketball referee in France

They are on the pitch, visible at all times, responsible for decisions that can change a match.

And yet, basketball referees in France remain in the shadows… especially when it comes to their remuneration.
In this article, we tell you everything: real figures, comparison with the NBA, unclear status… and above all, we show you in video the hidden side of a profession like no other.

Basketball referee salary: the figures in France

In Betclic Elite (Pro A)

• 💰 €660 gross per match

• 📅 Around 28 matches per season

• 🔁 Or €18,480 gross per year

• 🧾 Personal expenses (preparation, travel, etc.): around €2,000

• 💸 Net estimate: around €16,000 per year

In Pro B

• 💰 €440 gross per match

• 📅 Up to 38 matches per season

• 💸 Maximum annual gross income: €16,720

• 🔻 Net estimate after charges: ~€14,000

That’s if everything goes well. No permanent contract, no clear status: the arbitrators are both independent, employees and affiliated with URSSAF, an administrative headache

And meanwhile… in the NBA

In the United States, it’s another planet.

• 🏀 Rookie NBA referee: $250,000 / year

• 🌟 Confirmed NBA referee: up to $550,000 / year

• 📈 Bonuses, playoffs, insurance, support: everything is structured

Yeah, the gap is huge.
And no, it’s not just a question of budget.
It is also a question of recognition and credibility.

“You make a mistake, the whole world knows”

This is what Yohan Rosso, international referee, told us in our REBOND podcast.
A strong sentence, which sums up well the constant pressure that these men in the shadows experience.

In a few seconds, an arbitration error can go around the networks.
But their training, their concentration, their stress management, no one talks about it.

And what do you think about it ? 

💬 We are waiting for your reactions under the YouTube video and on the networks.
📌 This subject deserves to be seen, shared, debated.
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