Starting this Saturday, November 1st, NBA referees will use headsets during games to communicate in real time with each other and the replay center, according to an NBA announcement.
The NBA is thus beginning a two-phase process aimed at improving the pace of the game and the accuracy of officiating. Each referee will wear a headset on their uniform and may also wear it in their ear only during instant replay reviews and as needed during other stoppages in a game, but not while play is in progress.
It is expected that after evaluating the results of the first phase of implementation of the new system, a second phase will begin in January, in which referees will be able to wear the headsets for the entire game, including the entire game time, and this may be extended at least until the All-Star break in February.
This technology has already gone through a testing phase during the preseason games of the last two years, including the NBA Summer League from 2023 to 2025 and also the NBA development league (G League) from 2022 to 2024.
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