New Mexico Lacrosse Officials Association

Game Fees and Compensation

NMLA Officials Fees 2025Download
NMLA Officials Fees 2024Download
NMLOA – Historical Pay MatrixDownload

6-Year Pay Proposal

Purpose:

In an on-going effort to retain, attract, and develop new Officiating talent, the NMLOA proposes three-year pay evaluations for each of the top officiating costs (1. game fees, 2. mileage/per diem, and 3. hotel costs/development/support). This system should better prepare growing lacrosse programs and teams for future costs so they’re not caught off-guard by pre-season pay hikes. Game fees will be reassessed every season with a financial impact that will be staggered between varsity, sub-varsity, and youth games in addition to any costs to mileage and development or support.

Background:

The national average for Officiating costs is rising (nearly $88/varsity game), and New Mexico is currently situated near the bottom for pay ($75/varsity game). Despite lacrosse being a developmental sport in New Mexico, pay structures need to evolve and develop to stay in line with national standards. Like many developmental lacrosse states, the NMLA is a city-to-city league with equal-to-if-not-greater-than travel time on the road compared with actual game time.

Impact:

While most programs may feel these costs are always going to rise, this may not be true. The purpose is to develop a plan to look at the national averages of each of the three costs in a year and determine if the wages need to adjust positively or negatively for the work provided. This will also project rates for three years so programs can better plan and prepare for future fundraising.

  1. 2025: High School Game Fees – Raise for all 3-person varsity games, 2-person will remain the same. Raise to JV and Playoff games. Assigner fee increase.
  2. 2026: Sub-Varsity / Sixes Game Fees – Raise for sub-varsity games and Sixes format. Hotels, Development, and Support – Projected to rise by $10-$15.
  3. 2027: Youth Game Fees – Projected $5 raise for all game fees, re-evaluate national averages.
  4. 2028: High School Game Fees – Projected raise of $3-$5/game. Mileage and Per Diem – IRS Mileage Rate rounded down, reassess national per diem.
  5. 2029: Sub-Varsity / Sixes Game Fees – Reassess local market value. Hotels, Development, and Support – Hotel prices projected to rise by $5-$10, assess Assigner fees.

Note: These are simply projections and changes may increase or decrease based upon market assessments measured annually.