NBA Finals Tradition: Why do referees wear iconic “white jackets” during NBA Finals?

The stage for NBA Finals is set and pretty much every single NBA fan has their eyes glued to their TV or mobile screens, waiting for an update on the scores of their favourite basketball team, but along with the exciting game, it is interesting to note that NBA referees have their own version of a custom white jacket, that is specifically designed for them.

It is rare, symbolic and looks elite.

NBA Finals’ own customized white jackets for referees

The NBA is a game not only for the basketball stars but the hard working referees as well. For them, the biggest dream is to be picked for NBA Finals, and when their dream comes to life, it’s not just their decision that matters, but also their outfit. Currently, all eyes are on the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Yes, they get a specially designed and custom white colored jacket — and it is their version equivalent to a championship trophy, which reflects the hard work that has gone into reaching the NBA Finals.

The referees are pretty phenomenal with their presence. The custom white jackets look really good. While the referees only wear black during the season, white color is picked only during the NBA Finals. Well, they also wear colors like red when it’s NBA Cup in Las Vegas, while they change to blue color when they’re managing playoffs. During the NBA Finals, their custom white jacket is a zip-up one, and it pretty much stands out from the crowd, as the teams that are in Finals have very specific colors.

Their jacket also has an NBA Finals logo. For every single referee, it is a pretty big deal to secure one of these jackets.Also Read: Tyrese Haliburton Falls During NBA Finals, Adds An Unfortunate Record To His NameOver the last 35 years, it is interesting that only 56 referees have been able to secure the honorary mention of wearing the custom white jacket. It is important to note that this year, at least two referees will get a chance to wear the custom white jacket for the first time in NBA history. It’s not just any regular jacket but a badge of honor for all NBA fans.