Born on July 20, 1964, from the city of Compton, California, Violet Renice Palmer is a retired NBA and WNBA referee. Palmer attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, where she played as point guard and won two NCAA Division II championships.
She started her NBA refereeing journey in 1997 and was the first female referee to officiate a NBA postseason game in 2006 and the NBA All-Star Game in 2014. Due to a long term knee problem, Palmer retired in 2016.
What is Violet Palmer's Salary?
While exact salary information is not available for NBA referees, according to information available in the public domain, average NBA referee salaries range between $100,000 - $250,000. However, the more experienced officials may earn upto $500,000 per annum.
According to online sources, Palmer’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, making her one of the richest basketball referees. This feat underscores not just her professional prowess, but also the financial rewards that come with excellence in NBA officiating.
Violet Palmer Family
Palmer was born to James and Gussie Palmer in July 1964. She was also the first openly gay referee in the NBA and is married to Tanya Stine, a celebrity hair stylist. The power couple have three children and reside in Los Angeles, California. Besides this, no information is available about Violet Palmer’s family in the public domain.
FAQs
A. Violet Palmer was signed as a full-time member of the NBA’s officiating staff on October 31, 1997.
A. Yes, Violet Palmer was the first woman to become a full-time NBA referee.
A. Yes, she played college basketball for Cal Poly Pomona before pursuing a career in the NBA. She was a point guard in college.
A. Violet Palmer is 59 years old, as of September 2023.
