For quite a few NCAA games is a side hustle and not their only occupation. I believe they are also unionized and hopefully smart enough to have negotiated getting paid (in part or whole) for cancellations that are no fault of their own. Side related thought/question: What COVID testing protocol are the NCAA refs under?So do the refs get paid by the game or do they get a salary? If a game is cancelled do they get paid or not? Would suck to not get a check. Anyone know?
A friend of mine is a former head of officials for the major southern conference. At the time he and his refs were paid a generous expense fee and were very well compensated.Referees all get paid by the game. They can either get a game check plus expenses, or they can opt for a larger fee and pay their own expenses. If the game is canceled once they are there, they will still get paid. There is at least one officials union, the National Association of sports officials.
As for Covid, the referees are considered part of tier 1 and her tested at least three times a week.