The NBA can’t play a single game without referees.
They are really the unsung heroes of the league, the professionals who power every match and make all the calls needed to get a victor.
Without refs, the entire league stops so you can understand why the NBA would want to make sure they are happy.
The NBA and NBRA have announced the following. pic.twitter.com/hvLmIfbjmP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 15, 2022
They seem to be: the NBA and the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) announced that they have entered into a new collective bargaining agreement.
The new deal will last for seven years, starting with the upcoming 2022-23 season and through the 2028-29 season.
The agreement between the two sides will not be discussed publicly and the intricacies of the deal will be kept secret but it’s obvious that the referees and the league are on the same page and are ready to move forward together.
New Rules, Same League
2022-23 will see the league’s refs following new rules related to fouls.
The league recently approved the adoption of heightened penalties when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul”, which is an intentional foul committed by a defender to deprive the offensive team of a fast-break opportunity.
This is something that fans have been calling for for years so it’s a welcome change to the rule book.
The previous season also saw new rules for the refs to honor, such as restrictions on players drawing fouls in unnatural ways.
That seemed to work well during the season and the refs handled it all very well.
It’s been a complicated and challenging few years for everyone in the world, including those in the NBA.
That’s why it’s good to see that the referees are moving forward with a deal they like.
NEXT: The Countdown To The New NBA Season Continues