An American professional basketball referee, Scott Foster, nicknamed “The Extender,” is perceived for his bad calls on purpose to extend playoff series.
He has been labeled as the worst referee in the NBA.
Foster recently made headlines for his bad call in a game between Celtics and 76ers at TD Garden on 14 May 2023.
After receiving a technical foul for a specific play involving Georges Niang, the sidelined forward for the 76ers, Celtics Jaylen Brown expressed his discontent with the call by Foster.
Brown also criticized the controversial whistle blown by Foster in response to Niang’s play.
Arguably the most scrutinized referee in the NBA, Foster’s repute has gotten so bad that a petition was created on the website Change.org to have him removed from the league.
Let’s explore!!
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Scott Foster |
| Known As | Scott |
| Nickname | The Extender |
| Birthdate | April 8, 1967 |
| Age | 57 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States |
| Current Residence | Woodbine, Md. |
| Father | Not Known |
| Mother | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Nationality | American |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Not Known |
| Children | Three Children |
| Built | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Salt Pepper |
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Ethnicity | White American |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Religion | Christian |
| Profession | Basketball Referee |
| Education | Magruder, University of Maryland |
| Association | NBA |
| Active Career | 1995-Present |
| Favorite Show | Shameless and Ozark |
| Favorite Movie | Braveheart |
| Favorite Musician | Michael Franti & Spearhead |
| Favorite Book | Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect |
| Favorite Meal | Maryland Blue Crabs and Corn on the Cob |
| Bucket List | Win a Gold at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships |
| Would Most Like To Visit | Italy |
| Hidden Talent | Body Surfing |
| Net Worth | $1 and $5 Million |
| Salary | $550,000 |
| Social Media | |
| Last Update | November 2024 |
Early Life & Education
One of the most controversial referees, Scott Foster, was born on April 8, 1967, in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
He went to Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland.
After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Maryland.
Information regarding his family and siblings is not available, but it is known that he is married and has three children with his wife.
Career
Scott Foster kicked off his career working as a referee in the Continental Basketball Association and college basketball for two years.
He also worked as a high school basketball referee for six years before jumping to the NBA.
In total, Foster had officiated 1,617 regular season games in 28 seasons as an NBA staff official as of the 2021-22 season.
Similarly, he refereed 226 playoff games, including 23 NBA Finals games.
He worked the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte.
Foster treasures his most memorable NBA assignment as none other than Game 7 of the thrilling 2010 NBA Finals showdown between the Lakers and the Celtics.
In a true testament to his expertise, Foster had the honor of officiating this pivotal game alongside two of his mentors, Dan Crawford and Joey Crawford, making the experience all the more special.
Controversies
NBA official Scott Foster has found himself at the center of controversy with tense relationships between him and fans and even basketball players across the league.
He has had beef with some of the notable players in the league, including Chris Paul, Demarcus Cousins, and recently Jaylen Brown.
The 2018 Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, officiated by Foster, were marred by controversial calls.
In Game 1, Stephen Curry should have fouled out twice, and travel by Thompson was missed.
The Rockets filed a complaint after Game 7, claiming officials favored the Warriors. These incidents sparked discussions on improving officiating and transparency in the NBA.
Beef With Chris Paul
The Sun’s guard Chris Paul, aka CP3, has had several clashes with Foster.
Chris suffered 14 straight playoff losses in games officiated by Foster, including crucial moments in the NBA Finals and the first round of the Western Conference.
CP3 has publicly criticized Scott’s officiating style, with past teammates describing him as rude and arrogant.
Jaylen Brown Incident
During a Game 7 between the Celtics and the 76ers, forward Jaylen Brown and Georges Niang had a confrontation.
While pursuing a loose ball, Brown fell into the 76ers’ bench, and Niang briefly grabbed Brown’s leg to prevent him from rejoining the play.
Brown expressed anger at the Sixer’s bench, resulting in a technical foul called by Foster before a video review.
He criticized Foster’s decision, feeling that it was unjustified and that Foster did not fully assess the situation before penalizing him.
Petition Started To Remove Scott Foster From NBA
Scott Foster is one of the most scrutinized officials in the NBA, infamous for his bad calls during the crucial moment of the game.
Most notably, he has drawn rage from Miami Heat fans who believe Foster is against their team.
The situation has gotten so bad a petition was created on the website Change.org to have Foster removed from the league.
Close to 2,000 fans have signed a petition on Change.org to have Scott Foster removed from his NBA officiating duties.
The petition read, “We mean no harm or threats to the man and his family, but his unprofessionalism and hubris can no longer go unnoticed.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Why is Scott Foster called the Extender?
His nickname refers to Foster being a referee who will make calls to extend games or playoff series.
How much does Scott Foster get paid?
Interestingly, Scott is one of the highest-paid referees in the NBA, earning more than $7,000 a match. He makes close to $550,000 per year from his NBA officiating duties.
Is Scott Foster still an NBA ref?
Love him or hate him; you cannot ignore him. He still is in NBA, making bad calls and making fans mad.
