It’s hard to imagine an NFL game without referees wearing headsets, a practice that started in 2014 after testing the technology for two years. Major League Soccer has them, the National Hockey League has them, and even Major League Baseball began using them in 2022. Additionally, this technology has been in widespread use in EuroBasket since at least 2022. Now, the NBA has announced they will finally join the club and have referees begin using headsets for regular season and cup games starting today.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that NBA referees will use headsets to communicate in real time with the NBA Replay Center and one another, beginning with games on Nov. 1. The rollout is the first in a planned two-phased approach to utilize the new communication system, which is designed to improve game flow and enhance officiating accuracy.
In the first phase, each referee will have an earpiece clipped on their uniform. The referees will unclip the earpiece and place it in their ears only during instant replay review and as needed during other stoppages, but not during live play.
Pending evaluation of the first phase, the second phase of use will begin with earpieces being worn throughout the game, including during live play, beginning in January. During the second phase, referees will be able to communicate directly with the Replay Center and each other at all times during the game. The second phase will run through at least the NBA All-Star break in February.
Prior to being implemented, the technology was tested extensively during NBA preseason games (2024 and 2025), NBA Summer League (2023-25) and the NBA G League Winter Showcase (2022-24).
The NBA will work closely with the National Basketball Referees Association throughout this process.
In the short term this could mean faster reviews of challenges and and other dead-ball situations where communication with the NBA Replay Center is required. If this first phase is successful, NBA referees will transition to wearing the headsets at all times, allowing communication with the Replay Center during live play.
