NBA referee Tony Brothers has once again found himself at the center of media attention following his officiating in the December 19, 2024, game between the Bulls and the Celtics.
The fourth quarter of the game was marked by a flurry of technical fouls issued by Brothers and fellow referee Justin Van Duyne, sparking outrage among Celtics fans and players alike.
Brothers and Duyne issued technical fouls to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
According to the NBA’s official pool report, Mazzulla was penalized for being out of the coach’s box and stepping onto the court, while Brown received a technical for repeatedly questioning the officials’ integrity.
Tatum’s technical foul came as a result of what the report described as an “overt action” directed toward an official.
Someone is mad about that upset 😲 pic.twitter.com/3vQzbXnT9z
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) December 20, 2024
The decisions drew widespread criticism on social media, with many fans and commentators backlashing Brother and Duyne for their decision.
“Tony Brothers and his crew should never be allowed to ref a Celtics game ever again. This is one of just a handful of times where he and his crew have personally decided the outcome of a Celtics game.”
Via X (Formerly Twitter)
However, this is not the first time Tony Brothers has faced criticism.
Earlier, he was the subject of backlash after officiating a game between the Celtics and Bucks.
Tony Brothers Is A Legendary NBA Referee
Tony Brothers is one of the most recognizable and seasoned referees in the NBA.
He began his career as an NBA official in 1994 and has since established himself as a fixture on the league’s officiating roster.
With over 1,800 regular-season games under his belt, Brothers has also officiated numerous high-stakes playoff games, including NBA Finals matchups.
Over the years, Brothers has built a reputation for his no-nonsense approach on the court.
His extensive experience has earned him assignments for some of the league’s most critical games, which is both a testament to his skills and a source of controversy.
In addition to his NBA career, Tony has diversified his professional endeavors by venturing into the culinary scene.
In 2020, he established “Brothers” restaurant, a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
The establishment offers a contemporary dining experience, often enhanced by live musical performances and events that are promoted through Tony’s social media channels.
Tony Brothers’ Wife, Kimberly Jenkins, Runs Brothers Restaurant
Off the court, Tony maintains a relatively private personal life, but some details about his family and relationships have come to light.
He is currently married to Kimberly Jenkins Brothers.
The couple got engaged after several years of dating and tied the knot in July 2022 in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
Kimberly plays an active role in managing “Brothers“ restaurant, ensuring its daily operations run smoothly.
Previously, Tony was married to his ex-wife, Monica Brothers.
Together, Tony and Monica are the biological parents of two sons, Trent Brothers and Calvin Brothers, with whom they co-parent.
After his marriage to Kimberly, the family grew to include Kimberly’s son, Kevin, who is Tony’s stepson.
The restaurant is a true family affair, as Kevin serves as the executive chef at Brothers restaurant, bringing his culinary expertise from previous roles at Cedar Point Club in Suffolk and Leone’s Italian in Norfolk.
Meanwhile, Tony’s son Trent works as a server, and Kimberly’s other son, Calvin, also serves in a key role on the service team.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tony Brothers was born on September 14, 1964.
- He has officiated 17 NBA Finals.
- His uniform number is 25.
