The National Basketball Officials Association was formed in 1973 to improve the labor environment for NBA referees.
Originally formed as the National Association of Basketball Referees, the union settled on its current name during its negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.
[1] Led by Richie Phillips, the NBRA's first major action was an effort to win a collective bargaining agreement.
[3] Costing only $300 per game, plus a $40 per diem, the NBA made do with scabs until their inferior officiating caused complaints from players and fans.
As before, the NBA replaced them, and the results were so poor that Dick Young wrote, "The fill-in officials are brutal.
[7] The NBA locked out the referees because the NBRA rejected the league's request for a no-strike clause in their contract.