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BREC referees claim they aren't being paid on time
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BATON ROUGE - Calling basketball games is a workout for the men in the black and white stripes.
They run up and down the court, keeping up with 10-year-olds, watching every dribble, shot, and pass for several games in row.
But the some basketball referees for BREC say they are not getting paid on time. In response, they called a boycott on officiating all games this weekend.
Louis Metevia referees football and baseball and says BREC never pays those officials on time either. He says some of their officials have waited at least two months to receive payment.
"Somebody finally put their foot down and said they weren't going to stand for it anymore. So I'm totally behind them."
But BREC officials say these claims aren't true.
"We've checked every contract with every ref that works with us," Offcial Cheryl Michelet said. "There's not a single contract that's out of compliance when it comes to getting paid."
The BREC communication director says this boycott has not had an impact on the games.
"Over 60-games being played this weekend, not a single game was canceled," Michelet said. "They didn't even start late."
For now, the games will go on. And for the love of basketball, some referees will continue to call even if they are slow to get paid.
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