What does pizza, hiking, the presidential debate and The NBA Finals have in common? This podcast.

Welcome to "The Call and The Crowd," a podcast that takes you on an extraordinary journey through the captivating history of referees and officiating in the world of sports. We are your host RefMasters, and are thrilled to invite you to our very first episode: "The Birth Of RefMasters."

Whether you're a sports fanatic, a referee, or simply curious about the hidden dynamics of the games we adore, "The Call and the Crowd" promises to deliver an enthralling narrative that explores the birth and evolution of RefMasters. Join us in this riveting inaugural episode as we appreciate the origins of the company.

The crew discuss the preparation and process of officiating on the world's biggest stage. James highlights the differences from of a regular season game. Kane talks about his first call ever made. Sony marvels at a clutch officiating performance from 2016. Gucci enjoys his drink of choice and reminisces about meeting Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

01:38 The Moment of Learning About Refereeing the NBA Finals

08:50 The Short-Lived Celebration and Starting Over

13:41 The Importance of Camaraderie Among Referees

20:36 Making Crucial Calls in High-Pressure Moments

26:32 Learning from Mistakes

30:02 Maintaining Consistency in Officiating

33:23 Dispelling the Misconception of Rigging

36:11 The Extensive Review System in the NBA

46:04 Exciting Encounters with Famous Individuals

Laz is such a genuine and entertaining guy. We were blessed to talk with him about his road to the pinnacle of his profession, what's most important in umpire development and the similarities between officiating baseball and basketball. Near the end, we zoom out and talk about what's really most important beyond the game.

Jared Greenburg meets us in his "Ref You Suck" shirt to dish on all things broadcasting and basketball. Together we discuss the similarities between our respective crafts, three rules that fans need to learn most, and which NBA referee is best on camera.

Sony asks a few burning questions after watching Gucci at work. But first, we recap Thanksgiving: Gucci talks chitlins, Kane describes his longest weekend ever and Sony explains why he ate alone.

Episode 3 of The Call & The Crowd is a LIVE interview podcast episode that dives into the remarkable journey of Haywoode Workman, a basketball lifer who transitioned from an NBA player to NBA referee. His transition from player to referee provides a unique perspective that few have had the privilege to witness.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join us for this celebration of Haywoode Workman's journey and gain a deeper appreciation for the craft we all love. We hope you enjoy!

Get ready for an exciting Episode 2 of The Call & The Crowd!

In this thrilling episode, we're taking you on an epic journey through the world of basketball, where the traveling calls ignite the passion of fans like never before!

But that's not all - brace yourselves for some epic conversations from our very own Kane, Gucci, & Sony. They're spilling the beans on their experiences living in different corners of America and revealing their deepest passions beyond the basketball court.

Stay tuned for some exclusive insider scoop on upcoming RefMasters events that will keep you at the edge of your seat!

This one's a game-changer! #RefMasters #StayTuned