Get all the sports news you need, direct to rsf inbox. By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo’s Terms and Privacy Policy. Coaches swear a blue streak at. Players deride. Fans boo. Some days — especially during the high-stakes hysteria of March Madness — it seems barely worth it to be a basketball referee. But as the embarrassing calls made by replacement refs during the NFL referee lockout monry a cranky nation, nothing compares to a guy who knows when to blow the whistle. Not all college basketball refs — who work as independent contractors — can make a living calling fouls. Amateur refs often hold «real» day jobs so that they can live the dream working games at night. As a ESPN yow on four refs pointed outfreelancing means no benefits, no pensions, no health coverage.