NBA Announces Initiative to Improve Training and Performance of Officials

The National Basketball Association announced a series of new procedures Thursday designed to improve the overall level of performance by referees.

NBA Communications provided full details about the league's plan, which includes increasing the size of the staff, utilizing technology such as virtual reality during preparation and postgame surveys for coaches to share immediate officiating feedback.

The league also confirmed the creation of an Officiating Advisory Council to guide the process. General Martin E. Dempsey, former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, former referee Steve Javie and former NBA players Doug Collins and Kenny Smith will lead the group, according to the release.

Here's a look at the complete seven-step plan:

Step	Idea
1	Increase the officiating staff by 25 percent within three years, including 10 percent by next season, through a more diverse and comprehensive approach to sourcing and hiring.
2	Use a new, data-driven game review system to create objective referee measurement standards and track progress regarding call accuracy and errors per game over multiple seasons.
3	Leverage technology to develop innovative methods to train officials, including the use of virtual reality.
4	Improve and expand the process by which teams inquire about specific plays or offer input on the officiating program.
5	Install a newly-created postgame survey process for coaches to share officiating feedback in real time.
6	Develop guidelines and establish forums to improve decorum and in-game communications among players, coaches and referees.
7	Introduce a new scheduling system to optimize the chemistry and composition of officiating crews and ensure rest for individual referees.

The announcement featured comments from league operations president Byron Spruell, who spearheaded the six-month evaluation of the referees.

"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," he said. "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."

One point of contention between the league and the officials' union is the publication of Last Two Minute Reports focused on the calls made at the end of each game.

Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today noted the union petitioned to end the practice after last season, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver wouldn't budge.

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"We do (Last Two Minute Reports) to be as transparent as possible with the public in terms of how we think critical moments of the game are being officiated," Silver said. "We're in the second year of our Last Two Minute Reports, and I still remain strongly behind them. Now, I understand the criticism from some of the teams that, what's the point? Why are you telling the world that this call was decided incorrectly? May have gone in our favor, may not have. Nothing can be done about it after the fact."

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Superstars LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors were among those to speak out against the reports earlier this season.

Thursday's announcement didn't discuss any potential for further changes to that program, though. It only highlighted prior alterations to the review process, including the addition of a referee name by each call on the official play-by-play report.