” We are looking for the best referees », claims Monty McCutchen, the league’s director of referee education. The best and the best because the NBA just promoted Cheryl Flores and Dannica Mosher to full-time officials. With them, the league now has eight women officiating continuously, the highest number the league has ever seen.
These two referees come from G-League, like the two men also promoted, Matt Kallio (Canadian, first full-time international referee) and Robert Hussey. ” Cheryl, Robert, Matt and Dannica have demonstrated the ability and professionalism required to be a full-time member of the NBA officiating corps. We are delighted for them that they have reached this important milestone in their careers. “, greets Monty McCutchen.
Last season, a record twelve women whistled NBA games. Some of them, including the two newcomers, were called up from the G-League and other lower levels to support a refereeing corps also decimated by Covid-related absences.
Meritocracy highlighted
Cheryl Flores worked nine seasons in the development league and in the WNBA. She also has on her CV a solid experience in the women’s NCAA, with two Final Four. Dannica Mosher has four seasons of G-League experience, five in the WNBA and officiated both the G-League and WNBA Finals last season.
According to the AP, recruiting women has become a priority for NBA executives because only ten of them have held the position full-time in Big League history. Monty McCutchen has long said the NBA will hire the best people for the job, regardless of gender.
” It’s just fantastic. And that’s how our society should be. The NBA is convinced that it is a meritocracy. And that’s exactly what a true meritocracy looks like “, he concludes today.
