NBA: Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder make history as two females officiate game for first time
Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder helped to create another milestone in the NBA in Orlando on Monday night, as the Magic hosted the Charlotte Hornets. The duo joined Sean Wright to oversee the match, which was won by the home side.
Tuesday 26 January 2021 15:28, UK
History was made on Monday night, as Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder helped to form the NBA's first refereeing crew which featured two females.
The duo were officiating in the Charlotte Hornets' visit to the Orlando Magic, in which the home side ran out 117-108 winners.
With female officials becoming more common in the league, this was the first time there were multiple women presiding over the one game.
"This is a big deal," Schroeder said, as quoted by NBA.com. "It's like my feminist dreams come true, that like my personal values are colliding with my professional values and it's awesome."
- LeBron James on Kobe Bryant: Legends never die
- Podcast: Heatcheck - Champs or bust for Nets; Warriors no pushovers
"It's so cool," added Sago. "All of us, we're so happy and excited to work together. We just have a good group of females, we're all close, we have great relationships and we share these moments.
"I'm just proud to be part of an organisation that promotes people to do the job based on our abilities, not on our gender, race, ethnicity, those types of things."
The NBA has used 76 officials so far this season, seven of whom are female.
