Over 1/3rd of NBA referees are in COVID Health and Safety Protocols

Given the recent rise in COVID cases with the surge of the omicron variant, it may not surprise many to see that sports leagues, among other organizations, have also been struggling to adjust. However, while most people focus on the players themselves, some may not think to consider another part of professional games: the referees.

As the omicron variant rips through NBA players and coaches in particular, it has reached a season-high among game officials: according to sources, 36% of the league's referees are reportedly in COVID-19 protocols. With 25 of the league's 70 active referees currently in quarantine, the league has been promoting G League referees to fill out the nightly roster of games. There have even been rare instances lately when only two referees -- instead of the standard three -- were available for games, with the NBA having to continued working to limit those occasions, sources said. The G League, in the meantime, has paused the season until Wednesday to allow for players and referees to be available to the NBA.

Source: More than one-third of NBA referees are in COVID-19 protocols, sources say (link)