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All eyes are on the players as Super Bowl LVII draws ever closer- players from both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas city Chiefs are getting even more scrutiny as we head into the weekend.
The supporting cast, though not in the limelight, have their own roles to play, and some of them get compensated very well for it- referees included.
According to a collective bargaining agreement struck between the NFL and referees to end a lockout in 2012, the compensation for game officials was to reach $205,000 per year in 2019. Not bad for half a year of work.
The agreement made provisions for retirement benefits as well, with the league mandated to make an annual contribution of more than $23,000 on behalf of each official, also in 2019.
New CBA in place
After that, they came to another CBA, and the new seven-year deal will run through May 31, 2026. The agreement also includes compensation and benefits, but the details of these were not released to the public.
It would be logical to assume that the referees’ annual pay would increase in similar fashion and in a proportionate manner- the 2012 agreement provided for a $32,000 annual increase from 2013 to 2019.
More pressure, more pay
On top of their salary, officials get additional compensation for officiating the Super Bowl game. Working for the Super Bowl is both a challenge and an opportunity for NFL referees- the extra pay comes with extra pressure after all.
The NFL has not freely given out the figures, but according to the most recent reports, referees were estimated to bring in between $30,000 and $50,000 for officiating in the big game in 2018, so it is likely that this rate has gone up or at least is in this ballpark for Super Bowl LVI.
To be chosen as a referee for the Super Bowl, the referee has to have worked in the league for at least five seasons and must have experience working during the playoffs as well. The NFL imposed these requirements as a way to reduce the number of errors made by officials during the biggest game of the year.
