The NBA announced today a comprehensive plan to further strengthen its officiating program. The introduction of several new initiatives continues recent efforts to bring additional transparency to the program and use advanced technologies to enhance the performance, training, development and recruitment of referees.
The announcement follows a thorough six-month review of the NBA’s officiating program conducted by recently-appointed President, League Operations, Byron Spruell, who oversees Basketball and Referee Operations at the league office.
“Our focus with these new initiatives is to build on the already-existing strengths of our officiating program and ensure maximum effectiveness of our officials,” said Spruell. “With an eye toward continuous improvement, these measures will put our officials in an even better position to succeed in this demanding role and reinforce the NBA’s commitment to transparency.”
The NBA is launching an Officiating Advisory Council to focus on areas of improvement for the officiating program and the future of officiating. The council will include retired General Martin E. Dempsey, who was the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan; two distinguished former NBA players and current television analysts, Doug Collins and Kenny Smith; and former longtime NBA referee Steve Javie. The Council will also include current players, coaches and referees who will be named at a later date.