If you’re watching a random Tuesday night game between the Pacers and the Magic, you might see Natalie Sago or Simone Jelks sprinting down the sideline. It’s becoming normal. Finally. But honestly, the road to getting women referees in nba games wasn’t just a slow climb—it was a decades-long grind against a locked door.
Most fans think this is a "new" thing. It isn't.
✨ Don't miss: High School Basketball Coach Pulls Hair: The Reality of Sideline Conduct and What Happens Next
We’re currently in the 2025-26 season, and the roster of officials looks a lot different than it did even five years ago. There are now more women on the full-time staff than ever before. Names like Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Jenna Schroeder, and Dannica Baroody are staples of the officiating rotation. But to understand why this matters, you’ve gotta look at the mess of the late 90s.
The 1997 Explosion and the Long Silence
In 1997, the NBA did something no other major male sports league had the guts to do. They hired Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner.
It was a media circus. People didn't know how to react. Some players were cool with it, but others? Not so much. Charles Barkley famously had to apologize to Palmer later on, admitting he was wrong about her ability to handle the speed of the game. Palmer was a powerhouse. She stayed for 18 seasons and called 919 games.
Then, there was a weird gap.
After Kantner left in 2002, Palmer was the lone woman for years. It felt like a "one-and-done" experiment for a while. It took until 2014 for Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling to join the full-time ranks. Think about that. A twelve-year drought. That’s a long time to wait for a second chance.
Why the Surge is Happening Now
The NBA changed its math. Basically, they realized they were ignoring 50% of the talent pool.
📖 Related: Why Every Play by Play Football Game Matters More Than the Score
Monty McCutchen, the Senior VP of Referee Development, shifted the focus toward a "performance-based" pipeline. It’s not about diversity for the sake of optics; it’s about the fact that if you can call a block/charge at full speed, nobody cares what your gender is.
The Current 2025-26 Roster
As of right now, the league has a solid group of women who aren't just "there"—they're leading crews.
- Jenna Reneau: Just promoted to the full-time staff for this 2025-26 season.
- Natalie Sago: A veteran who has been around since 2018.
- Simone Jelks: Known for her high-level consistency.
- Che Flores: Made history as the first out non-binary and trans referee in the league.
- Sha'Rae Mitchell: Another rising star on the staff.
- Danielle Scott: Frequently seen in high-stakes regular-season matchups.
It’s a deep bench. And they aren't just coming from nowhere. Most of these women spent years in the NBA G League or the WNBA. The G League is essentially the "proving ground." If you can survive the scrappy, high-intensity environment of the minor leagues, you’re ready for the bright lights of the Garden or the Crypto.com Arena.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Job
People think refereeing is just about knowing the rules. It’s not. It’s 90% game management.
Imagine 280-pound athletes screaming in your face while 20,000 fans call you every name in the book. You have to stay calm. You have to be invisible. If a referee is the headline the next morning, they probably had a bad night.
The physical requirements are also insane. These officials run several miles per game. They have to keep up with the fastest athletes on earth just to get the right angle on a play. For women referees in nba roles, the scrutiny is often double. One missed call and the "social media experts" come out of the woodwork with biased takes that their male counterparts usually avoid.
Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling actually retired just before the 2024-25 season started due to knee issues. It’s a reminder that this job is a physical grind. It wears you down.
The Path to the Whistle
How does someone actually get this job? It’s not like applying for a desk job.
- The Grassroots: You start at the YMCA or high school games. Honestly, that's where the toughest crowds are.
- The NCAA: Moving up to Division I college ball is the first major hurdle.
- The Scouting Loop: NBA scouts attend major tournaments to watch the refs, not the players. They look for "court presence"—basically, do players respect you when you speak?
- The G League/WNBA Pipeline: This is where you spend 3 to 7 years. You’re being graded on every single whistle.
- The "Non-Staff" Call Up: Before getting a full-time contract, many women work a handful of games as "non-staff" officials to see if they can handle the pressure.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Crew
We’re past the era of "firsts."
In 2021, Sago and Schroeder became the first two women to work the same game. That was a milestone. Now, it’s not uncommon to see a crew that isn't just one woman and two men. The goal, according to the league's officiating department, is for gender to be a non-factor in hiring.
📖 Related: What Time Do the Chiefs Play Next Sunday: The Hard Truth About the Schedule
Is it perfect? No. There are still people who make comments. But the players, for the most part, have moved past it. When LeBron or Steph is arguing a foul, they’re arguing the call, not the person making it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Refs
- Watch the Mechanics: Next time you watch a game, don't look at the ball. Watch the "trail" or "lead" official. See how they position themselves.
- Respect the Grind: If you know someone interested in officiating, tell them to join a local association. The NBA is actively looking for talent, and the pathway is clearer than ever.
- Check the Stats: Sites like NBA Official post daily assignments. You can see exactly who is calling which game and track their accuracy.
The presence of women referees in nba games is no longer a gimmick or a headline—it's just basketball. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Next Steps to Understand the Game Better:
If you want to see the technical side of things, go to the official NBA Video Rulebook. It shows the exact clips that referees use for training. It’ll give you a whole new respect for how fast these decisions have to be made in real-time.