NBA referees will have a somewhat new addition starting on Saturday, November 1. They will now have a headset and earphone in addition to their whistles. All of this is a part of the NBA's continuous effort to make calls correctly and keep games flowing smoothly. This is the first part of a two-phase program designed to facilitate real-time communication between officials and the NBA Replay Centre .
For the time being, every referee will have an earpiece attached to their outfit. Only during instant replay reviews and other clock stoppages—not during live play—will they unclip the gadget and put it in their ears.
NBA unveils a futuristic twist that could silently revolutionize how games are called
NBA officials will wear earpieces starting with Saturday's games in an effort to "improve game flow and enhance officiating accuracy," the league said on Friday.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that starting with games on November 1, NBA referees would use headsets to communicate in real time with the NBA Replay Centre and each other. The new communication system is intended to improve officiating accuracy and game flow, and this rollout is the first of two planned phases.
Every referee will have an earpiece fastened to their uniform during the first phase. Only during instant replay review and other stoppages—but not during live play—will the referees unclip the earpiece and put it in their ears.
With accurate calls and less time spent on reviews, the NBA is providing its referees an opportunity to enhance the on-court product. The official announcement read:
“The league made that announcement Friday, rolling out a two-phase plan to implement the devices. The first phase, which is expected to continue into January, will see referees having the earpiece clipped onto their uniforms - then using it only during instant replay reviews and other stoppages, but not actually during live play…”
It further read:
“In the second phase - which is pending evaluation of the first phase - referees will wear the earpieces throughout the game, including during live play, and be able to communicate directly with the replay center and each other at all times. That phase will continue through at least the All-Star break in February…”
NBA’s next tech phase promises seamless on-court communication like never before
The referees will wear the earpieces during the games, including live play, in the second phase once the first phase has been evaluated. This phase is scheduled to start in January and last at least until February's All-Star break.
Earpieces will be worn for the duration of the game, including live play, starting in January. Referees will have constant access to the Replay Centre and each other during the game during the second phase. The second phase will last at least until the February NBA All-Star break.
The league said in a news release:
“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 NBA Summer League and NBA G League Winter Showcase, as well as NBA preseason games over the previous two seasons, were used to test the system. The technology was thoroughly tested during NBA preseason games in 2024 and 2025, the NBA Summer League in 2023–2025, and the NBA G League Winter Showcase in 2022–2024.
Throughout this process, the National Basketball Referees Association and the NBA will collaborate closely. This technology is not brand-new. The NBA has experimented using it in the preseason, NBA Summer League, and G League. In a game that gets bigger, stronger, and faster every season, it seems like something that can only benefit the referees on the floor.
Also read: Steve Kerr shares a candid take on NBA’s load management debate, echoing wisdom from his championship past
For the time being, every referee will have an earpiece attached to their outfit. Only during instant replay reviews and other clock stoppages—not during live play—will they unclip the gadget and put it in their ears.
NBA unveils a futuristic twist that could silently revolutionize how games are called
NBA officials will wear earpieces starting with Saturday's games in an effort to "improve game flow and enhance officiating accuracy," the league said on Friday.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that starting with games on November 1, NBA referees would use headsets to communicate in real time with the NBA Replay Centre and each other. The new communication system is intended to improve officiating accuracy and game flow, and this rollout is the first of two planned phases.
Every referee will have an earpiece fastened to their uniform during the first phase. Only during instant replay review and other stoppages—but not during live play—will the referees unclip the earpiece and put it in their ears.
Beginning with tomorrow's games, NBA referees will use headsets to communicate in real time with the NBA Replay Center and one another.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 31, 2025
The new communication system is designed to improve game flow and enhance officiating accuracy.
📰Full release: https://t.co/5M3RPWxbAB pic.twitter.com/UZVKKWf0JR
With accurate calls and less time spent on reviews, the NBA is providing its referees an opportunity to enhance the on-court product. The official announcement read:
“The league made that announcement Friday, rolling out a two-phase plan to implement the devices. The first phase, which is expected to continue into January, will see referees having the earpiece clipped onto their uniforms - then using it only during instant replay reviews and other stoppages, but not actually during live play…”
It further read:
“In the second phase - which is pending evaluation of the first phase - referees will wear the earpieces throughout the game, including during live play, and be able to communicate directly with the replay center and each other at all times. That phase will continue through at least the All-Star break in February…”
NBA’s next tech phase promises seamless on-court communication like never before
The referees will wear the earpieces during the games, including live play, in the second phase once the first phase has been evaluated. This phase is scheduled to start in January and last at least until February's All-Star break.
Earpieces will be worn for the duration of the game, including live play, starting in January. Referees will have constant access to the Replay Centre and each other during the game during the second phase. The second phase will last at least until the February NBA All-Star break.
NBA announces that NBA Cup semifinals will be held at home arenas of higher-seeded teams starting in 2026-27. (Previously, semis had been in Las Vegas.)
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) September 10, 2025
League also announced a change to coach challenge rule. pic.twitter.com/mNw3WQbk7v
The league said in a news release:
“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 NBA Summer League and NBA G League Winter Showcase, as well as NBA preseason games over the previous two seasons, were used to test the system. The technology was thoroughly tested during NBA preseason games in 2024 and 2025, the NBA Summer League in 2023–2025, and the NBA G League Winter Showcase in 2022–2024.
Throughout this process, the National Basketball Referees Association and the NBA will collaborate closely. This technology is not brand-new. The NBA has experimented using it in the preseason, NBA Summer League, and G League. In a game that gets bigger, stronger, and faster every season, it seems like something that can only benefit the referees on the floor.
Also read: Steve Kerr shares a candid take on NBA’s load management debate, echoing wisdom from his championship past
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