Bill Kennedy Biography
Bill Kennedy is an American professional Basketball Referee who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, he serves as the referee for the National Basketball Association. Prior, he also refereed in the Continental Basketball Association both for the 1995 and 1996 CBA Finals.
Kennedy is an important figure in the NBA for several reasons. First, he is one of only two openly gay referees in the league. His decision to come out in 2015 was a major step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, and it helped to make the NBA a more inclusive league.
Also, he is a highly respected referee with over 20 years of experience. He has officiated over 1,200 regular-season games and 100 playoff games, including five NBA Finals. He is known for his fair and consistent officiating, and he is respected by players, coaches, and fans alike.
10 Quick Facts About Bill Kennedy
- Name: Bill Kennedy.
- Age: 57 Years.
- Birthday: November 10.
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m).
- Nationality: American.
- Occupation: Basketball Referee.
- Marital Status: Married.
- Salary: $250,000 -$500,000.
- Net worth: $3 Million – $15 Million.
Bill Kennedy Age
Kennedy is 57 years old, he was born on November 10, 1966, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. He celebrates his birthday on November 10 every year and his birth sign is Scorpio.
Bill Kennedy Height
Kennedy stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall.
Bill Kennedy Weight
Kennedy weighs 82 kg (180 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Kennedy was born on November 10, 1966, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with his mother, who worked multiple jobs to support him. Kennedy attended St. Mary’s High School, where he was a standout basketball player. He was named Knight of the Year in 1984 for his athletic achievements.
After high school, Kennedy attended Arizona State University, where he continued to play basketball. He graduated in 1988 with a degree in business administration. After college, Kennedy began his career as a referee. He worked in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1993 to 1995 and then joined the NBA in 1995.
Rise to Fame
Kennedy rose to fame as an NBA referee over the course of his 18-year career. He began his career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1993 and then joined the NBA in 1995. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s top referees, and he was named to the NBA’s All-Star Game roster in 2002.
Kennedy’s rise to fame was also helped by his willingness to speak out on social justice issues. In 2009, he ejected Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers for making homophobic remarks towards him. Kennedy also came out as gay in 2015, becoming the first openly gay referee in NBA history.
Bill Kennedy Family
Kennedy was born and raised by his parents in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. However, our efforts to find out more about his family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Therefore, the identity of Bill’s father and mother is still unclear. It is also not known if he has any siblings since he has not disclosed it to the public yet. Further information regarding this in detail is currently under review and will be updated as soon as it is available.
Bill Kennedy Gay
Kennedy revealed that he is gay but has never publicly disclosed the identity of his husband. He has been in a relationship with a man named Craig Glover since 2002, but they have not married. Kennedy has said that he prefers to keep his personal life private.
In 2015, Kennedy came out as gay after Rajon Rondo called him a homophobic slur. He said that he decided to come out publicly in order to help other gay people in sports feel less alone. Kennedy’s decision was met with widespread support from the NBA and the sports world as a whole.
Bill Kennedy Children
Any information about Kennedy’s children is publicly not available. It is not known if he has children. We will update this section once the information is available.
Bill Kennedy Salary
Kennedy receives an average annual salary of $250,000 -$500,000. This translates to an hourly average wage of between $10.15 and $31.32. This is Per our average wage estimates for a Basketball Referee in the United States. However, these figures may vary substantially according to the level of seniority of the employee. At the moment, we do not have the exact salary but we will update this section when the information is available.
Bill Kennedy Net Worth
Kennedy has an estimated Net Worth of $3 Million -$15 Million as of 2023. This includes his Assets, Money, and Income. His primary source of income is his career as a Basketball Referee. Through his various sources of income, Bill has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts and Body Measurements
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Bill.
Bill Kennedy Wiki
- Full Names: William Gene Kennedy.
- Popular As: Bill Kennedy.
- Gender: Male.
- Occupation / Profession: Basketball Referee.
- Nationality: American.
- Race / Ethnicity: White.
- Religion: Not Available.
- Sexual Orientation: Gay.
Bill Kennedy Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 57 Years.
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
- Date of Birth: November 10, 1966.
- Place of Birth: Phoenix, Arizona.
- Birthday: November 10.
Bill Kennedy Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m).
- Weight: 82 kg (180 lbs).
- Eye Color: Black.
- Hair Color: Dark Brown.
- Shoe Size: Not Available.
- Chest Size: Not Available.
- Waist Size: Not Available.
Bill Kennedy Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Not Available
- Mother: Not Available
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Available
- Marital Status: Married.
- Spouse/Wife: Not Known.
- Dating/Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Not Available
Bill Kennedy Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $3 Million – $15 Million.
- Salary: $250,000 -$500,000.
- Source of Income: Basketball Referee.
Bill Kennedy House and Cars
- Place of living: Not Available
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated.
Career
Kennedy began his career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1993, and he was promoted to the NBA in 1995. He has officiated over 1,358 regular-season games and 127 playoff games, including five NBA Finals games. He is known for his fair and consistent officiating. He is also a respected leader among referees, and he has served on the NBA’s referee advisory committee.
In 2015, Kennedy came out as gay after Rajon Rondo called him a homophobic slur. His decision was met with widespread support from the NBA and the sports world as a whole. Kennedy is one of only two openly gay referees in the NBA, and his courage in coming out has helped to make the league a more inclusive place.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
He is a member of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an organization that works to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students.
He is also a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States.
Kennedy has also donated his time and money to several other organizations that support LGBTQ+ youth and families, including the Trevor Project, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City.
Bill Kennedy NBA
Kennedy is an American professional basketball referee who has officiated in the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 1995. He is one of only two openly gay referees in the NBA, and his courage in coming out has helped to make the league a more inclusive place.
Kennedy was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1984. He attended Arizona State University, where he played basketball for two years. After graduating from ASU, Kennedy worked as a high school teacher and coach before becoming a referee.
Kennedy began his career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1993. He was promoted to the NBA in 1995, and he has officiated over 1,358 regular-season games and 127 playoff games. He has also officiated in the NBA Finals, the FIBA World Championships, and the Summer Olympics.
Kennedy is known for his fair and consistent officiating. He is also a respected leader among referees, and he has served on the NBA’s referee advisory committee.
Bill Kennedy Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- 2015 NBA Referee of the Year: Kennedy was awarded the NBA’s top referee honor in 2015. He was recognized for his fair and consistent officiating, as well as his leadership among referees.
- 2012 Summer Olympics: Kennedy officiated the men’s basketball tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He was one of only two referees from the NBA to be selected for the games.
- 2010 FIBA World Championships: Kennedy officiated the men’s basketball tournament at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. He was one of only three referees from the NBA to be selected for the games.
- NBA Finals: Kennedy has officiated five NBA Finals games. He is one of only a few referees to have officiated in so many Finals games.
- NBA Referee Advisory Committee: Kennedy has served on the NBA’s referee advisory committee since 2014. The committee is made up of a select group of referees who advise the NBA on a variety of issues, including officiating rules and procedures.
Legacy
Here are the following aspects which depict Kennedy’s legacy;
Kennedy’s extensive knowledge of the game and its rules, along with his ability to apply them consistently, have earned him respect among players, coaches, and fans. His understanding of the intricacies of the sport has allowed him to make accurate and fair decisions on the court.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has exemplified professionalism and integrity in his role as a referee. He has demonstrated the ability to remain composed and impartial in high-pressure situations, earning the trust of players, teams, and the league. His commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game has been recognized and appreciated by the basketball community.
Final Thought
Kennedy is a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ people in sports. His courage in coming out as gay has helped to make the sports world a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. He is a role model for young people who are struggling with their sexual orientation, and he shows that it is possible to be successful in sports while being true to oneself. He is also an inspiration to others who are looking for acceptance and support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bill Kennedy
Bill Kennedy is an American professional Basketball Referee who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, he serves as the referee for the National Basketball Association. Prior, he also refereed in the Continental Basketball Association both for the 1995 and 1996 CBA Finals.
Kennedy is an American national born on November 10, 1966, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.
Kennedy stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall.
Kennedy revealed that he is gay but has never publicly disclosed the identity of his husband.
Kennedy has an approximate net worth of $3 Million -$15 Million. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the sports industry.
Kennedy receives an average annual salary of $250,000 -$500,000.
Because of security reasons, Bill has not shared his precise location of residence. We will update this information if we get the location and images of his house.
Kennedy is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Bill is still pursuing his career in the NBA industry. Currently, he serves as the referee for the National Basketball Association.
Bill Kennedy Contacts
- Youtube
- TikTok
- Website
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