Any time I bring up the subject of our officials' fees we always have a lively discussion--and that's all good. I have no qualms discussing money since we all need it to live on...
It seems that anytime we discuss our fees then tournament directors and associations always have an opinion about what WE make with no discussion about what they make or their profit margin. Its time to put some of these myths to rest...
Here are some simple observations about pay in tennis:
* Everyone has to make a living and its not wrong to expect to be paid a fair wage for a day's work. If an official doesn't do a day's work for a day's pay, then don't hire them again.
* Officials have the right to raise their rates whenever they deem necessary without any fear of retaliation from anyone. I think we have a whole country founded on this premise.
* There are officials who depend on their pay for their living and that is nothing to be ashamed of. When an official says, "I don't need the money" then they can send it all to me and I'll use it to live on...
* Just as the USTA, tournament directors, and associations continually raise their fees for tournaments and memberships, then we as officials will also need to raise our fees.
* The average officials' fee is raised every 4-5 years. That means that we go a lot of years with no increase. During that time, the cost of living continues to go up.
* Since our officials' fees are public knowledge and open to full scrutiny, then I think every tournament and tournament director should publish their expenses and profits from every sanctioned tournament. I also think the budget and budget expenditures of the USTA and USTA Texas Section should be posted online and available for all to see. I think when this is done, there would be no complaints about our officials' fees. It would also be wise to publish online the budget and expenditures of the Texas Section Officials Committee so we can all see how money is spent in our area.
* Certified tennis officials should be wise and exercise discretion in taking positions such as tournament director or serving on the boards of local associations. Just leads to divided loyalties and a big mess. I think we are seeing that issue right now with our Sectional Chairman being on the board of an association that retaliates against officials for raising their rates.
These are just a few observations about our officials' pay. We would welcome your comments and observations...
8 comments:
Of course we are in it for the money. We love the game of tennis, but we want to be fairly compensated for our skills. Its not being greedy. I get so tired of being accused of being greedy. Yes, there are a small percentage of officials who "don't need the money", but most of us do. I don't make a living off tennis, but it does allow me to do some things financially that otherwise I would not be able to do. That's what motivates me to work long, hot, hard, hungry hours!
We don't get compensated for our fuel or driving time - only the time spent at the site. So someone who lives on the west side of Ft Worth has to drive almost an hour to work at Allen High School. That's 2 hours of driving time (unpaid) and $10+ of gas (unreimbursed). Here's the math:
6 hr shift X $15 = $90
minus $10 gas = $80
6 hr shift + 2 hrs driving = 8 hrs
$80/8 hrs = $10/hr
Where is the greed in this?
My sentiments exactly...
Thanks for a great post.
In a previous blog, an anonymous writer posted:
"When a request for avaialbility is distributed the umpire should list pay rates and whether or not, meals will be provided. Given this information the individual can make an informed decision as to whether she or he wants to be considered for the event."
I think this is very sound advice. If we, as officials, receive an availability e-mail that does not have this information, we should reply with a request that the missing information be provided. If it is not provided (you would have to wonder why not), then we are not available for that event. Or, if the response has pay that is too low or lacks lunch and/or dinner, then reply and tell the referee that you don't want to be considered and why! If enough officials pass on events because of low pay and lack of food, referees will have trouble getting enough covereage which in turn will get the attention of the tournament director.
Or is this too easy of a solution?
I can assure you that the issue of providing meals will be addressed at the next Metroplex Tennis Officials Association board meeting.
It has been the policy since the beginning of time to charge the rates set by the MTOA and to provide meals. The change has occurred in the past couple of years only.
Anytime the MTOA raises our rates we also allow ample time for tournament directors to make adjustments. They had plenty of time on this one...
Does this mean you will start charging us a small token fee to start posting on this website?
No, I have determined that I would not fall prey to the monetary ways of the world and this site will always remain FREE.
Enjoy...
All want to be fairly paid, but what's "fair"
I became an official to do something to earn "extra" money, while having fun/enjoyment doing it. Could one make a living off officiating? (Feed a family, pay bills and pay for a child in jr. tennis) Working a shift or two on the weekends "helps" pay for that $60 hr private lesson with a pro.
Lets get back to "fair".......
Are we paid "fairly" to play the political game I so blindly find myself caught up in???
I am finding that to earn extra cash one gets thrown into the catty, political games of officiating.
There needs to be something one can sign that states they are only interested in earning "extra" $ and be left out of the political/catty games.
From my little understanding of this "officials world", one gets paid the same to work Mid Cities tournaments as they do if they work a Boys/Girls National Tournament.
Here's an idea. Why not just set up a "TIP" jar at the check-in table and the players/parents can decide if they want to help out with the umpires lunch?
Another idea. If the tournament doesn't provide lunch, then when it's lunch time for each official, they just leave and go for lunch. Their courts can go unattended until they return. I suspect the tip jar might be used after that.
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