NEW YORK – Joe Borgia, who spent 32 years in the NBA as a referee and manager, announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Among the highlights of Borgia’s tenure with the league is the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, which opened for the 2014-15 season and has become a fixture both as part of the in-game reviews and of the analysis of the league referees.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to officiate at the top of our profession and then move on to a role engaged in the advancement and improvement of our officials,” said Borgia. “I am particularly proud of the NBA Replay Center. Its continued evolution in improving our game is an example of the dedication that the NBA Referee Operations department has towards excellence and innovation.”
Borgia was hired by the NBA referees staff in 1988. He officiated 10 seasons before an injury forced him to stop in 1998. He joined the basketball and referees operations department in 1999 and retired on Tuesday with the title. senior vice president for arbitration.
“Joe’s footprint on the NBA and contributions to a multitude of officiating platforms will last a long time,” said Byron Spruell, president of the NBA League. “We thank him for his leadership, passion and commitment to service and wish him the best for his retirement.”
Borgia’s official career included two of the most popular games in NBA history – the game with the highest score, a 186-184 victory by Detroit over Denver on December 13, 1983, and an extraordinary five-fold game between Seattle and Milwaukee November 9, 1989.
Borgia’s father was Sid Borgia, who worked in the NBA from 1946 to 1966 as referee and then supervisor of the league officials.
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