Did you know?

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:48 am

We like to complain about MAC Officiating.

Did you know....that MAC Basketball Officials are paid a handsome figure per game?

Men's Basketball -
Tier One officials - $1,200 per game
Tier Two officials - $900

Women's Basketball -
Tier One officials - $700
Tier Two officials - $600

http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/9400/pd ... EM_ID=9400

Money well spent.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:24 am

I'm sure it's the market rate, but it's still an absolute disgrace. If you want to reform college athletics, you can start with these vampires taking money that should be directed towards the athletes and betterment of their programs.

$1,200 to work a two hour game is a joke.

h2oville rocket · Post by **h2oville rocket** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:08 pm

If they have to cover their own expenses that figure seems more realistic. Plus I suspect there's more to it than just the game itself- I know there are pregame meetings, etc. Not sticking up for the quality, although I'm not one who thinks they are terrible, but just saying there is likely more than a $600/hour paycheck here.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:25 pm

h2oville rocket wrote:If they have to cover their own expenses that figure seems more realistic. Plus I suspect there's more to it than just the game itself- I know there are pregame meetings, etc. Not sticking up for the quality, although I'm not one who thinks they are terrible, but just saying there is likely more than a $600/hour paycheck here.

That better be one heck of a pre-game meeting, and unless their mode of transportation includes stretch limousines with built-in hot tubs, they can't cite travel expenses as a justification.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:38 pm

That's what MAC schools must pay. I imagine they make even more to work a Big 10 or Big East game.

H2O is right when you think about the expenses they may have to get to and from a game. There is no mention of being paid mileage, meal money, or airfare.

I remember reading an article a few weeks ago where I believe Bobby Knight was talking about how he had seen a referee work four games in four nights in four different cities in two different time zones. Some of these officials make over $100,000 a year from officiating alone, but they might work over 100 games in a season. The article was asking if they were up to the activity night after night. I'm thinking it was a Pat Forde article on ESPN.

Falcon30 · Post by **Falcon30** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:44 pm

I taught with a MAC basketball ref. He lived in Cleveland and drove out to all the games and drove back after and would teach the next day. I thought he was nuts. He quit when his kids were in HS so he could watch their games. He still did HS football until his son made varsity.

FWIW - he is one of the best guys I have ever met.

anyhow, that covers hotel, travel, food etc. for the game, IIRC. they had to buy all their own equipment, too.

BGorDeath · Post by **BGorDeath** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:05 pm

Falcon30 wrote:I taught with a MAC basketball ref. He lived in Cleveland and drove out to all the games and drove back after and would teach the next day. I thought he was nuts. He quit when his kids were in HS so he could watch their games. He still did HS football until his son made varsity.

FWIW - he is one of the best guys I have ever met.

anyhow, that covers hotel, travel, food etc. for the game, IIRC. they had to buy all their own equipment, too.

They must use the most expensive whistles ever made.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:10 pm

Those brave refs have to suffer and endure the indignity of paying for their own lunches, dinners and gas money driving to and from their place of employment for a measly $600 an hour wage. That's roughing it!

Those striped shirts can't be cheap, either.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:17 pm

BGorDeath wrote:They must use the most expensive whistles ever made.

You try whistling 70 real or imagined personal fouls a game and see how your whistle holds up!!!

Falcon30 · Post by **Falcon30** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:24 pm

I am not saying it isn't a decent wage.

I am saying that when you live in Cleveland, drive to Oxford, officiate a game, stay in a hotel, and drive home, it isn't $600 an hour. If it is such a great job - why don't you all do it? Even at the pathetic .33 per mile rate the 520 mile round trip is worth over $170. How much is 10 - 18 hours of your time worth? Throw in a hotel at 60-120 for a night, 2 meals, wear and tear on your car, and voila, $300 bucks if off the top of your paycheck.

It's different when you have a face to put with the zebra shirt, I guess.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:56 pm

Falcon30 wrote:...and voila, $300 bucks if off the top of your paycheck.

So it's only $450/hour. Waaah!

Strouse · Post by **Strouse** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:51 pm

So maybe I'm the only idiot around here who doesn't know...But what's the difference between a Tier One Official and a Tier Two Offical? Is one full time and the other just part time? I guess I could actually try to look it up, but hey, maybe others have the same question

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:52 pm

Falcon30 wrote:Even at the pathetic .33 per mile rate the 520 mile round trip is worth over $170. How much is 10 - 18 hours of your time worth? Throw in a hotel at 60-120 for a night, 2 meals, wear and tear on your car, and voila, $300 bucks if off the top of your paycheck.

But if you save your receipts and track your mileage, you can deduct it as a business expense.

BTW - I think mileage is now .41 per mile (at least that is what the university pays us)

fredthefalcon · Post by **fredthefalcon** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:24 pm

transfer2BGSU wrote:
Falcon30 wrote:Even at the pathetic .33 per mile rate the 520 mile round trip is worth over $170. How much is 10 - 18 hours of your time worth? Throw in a hotel at 60-120 for a night, 2 meals, wear and tear on your car, and voila, $300 bucks if off the top of your paycheck.
But if you save your receipts and track your mileage, you can deduct it as a business expense.

BTW - I think mileage is now .41 per mile (at least that is what the university pays us)

I hope you haven't paid your taxes yet. IRS allowable mileage was .445 a mile for 2006 and .485 a mile for 2007.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:38 am

fredthefalcon wrote:I hope you haven't paid your taxes yet. IRS allowable mileage was .445 a mile for 2006 and .485 a mile for 2007.

My taxes were finished a few weeks ago. All I do is make a copy of any university travel vouchers with mileage and let my tax lady do the rest. I keep detailed records of my mileage for the shows I announce and that enables me to claim a nice deduction for business expenses (although the City of BG always gets a nice check from me).