While the basketball players will always be the NBA stars, older online reports about NBA waterboys have gotten many people interested in the job and salary.
We expect everyone in the NBA to be paid relatively well with the amount of money pumped into the game in commercial deals, merchandise endorsements, and sponsorships. So, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about NBA waterboys, including their duties, their salary, and how to become one if you wish.
Let’s start by describing who NBA waterboys are.
Who is an NBA Waterboy?
Just like the name suggests, NBA waterboys handle the duties of giving water to dehydrated athletes on the court as well as holding their towels. That may sound simple enough, but as with any other job, you need a certain level of expertise to do it properly. In today’s NBA, “waterboy” is usually an informal term; teams may use job titles such as team attendant, equipment attendant, locker room attendant, ballperson, or other team-support roles.
How Much Do NBA Waterboys Make?
Many factors could determine the pay of a waterboy. These include the quality of work the waterboy delivers, experience, dedication, activeness, and the team. If a waterboy has additional knowledge or skills on topics like nutrition, this could give them a better chance at more advanced team-support roles.
The NBA does not publish a league-wide waterboy salary, and pay can vary widely by team, job title, location, hours, and whether the role is part-time or full-time. Because of that, fixed claims that every NBA waterboy averages $53,000 – $58,000 annually should be treated cautiously. Some entry-level or game-night team-support roles may be paid hourly or per game, while full-time staff roles with broader equipment, locker-room, travel, or athletic-training responsibilities can be salaried.
However, as a beginner, the pay of an NBA waterboy or team attendant should not be assumed to be a fixed amount per game. Some entry-level roles are filled locally and usually learn the ropes at the beginner level. Those NBA waterboys with higher experience or skills such as experience in nutrition can earn more if they move into broader staff positions, but teams do not publish a universal salary ceiling for this role.
Many make careers out of being waterboys. While it isn’t one of the flashiest jobs in the world, a full-time team-support role can still be a valuable way to work around professional basketball. The comparison with G-League salaries is not simple because G League, two-way, and NBA contracts are different categories, and many players also pursue other basketball opportunities.
What are the Duties of an NBA Waterboy?
In other low-level/amateur leagues, waterboys handle all the menial tasks like handing out beverages, washing towels, and keeping luggage for usually inconsequential compensation. Many waterboys in these amateur leagues typically take the role because they offer support. In NBA teams, the waterboy roles are more diverse and could depend on the NBA team.
Even though the job description isn’t glamorous, you’d be surprised by the number of people who want to be NBA waterboys because they make a decent amount of money with some nice perks. NBA waterboys are necessary for games because they make sure the stars of the show – the players stay hydrated throughout the match to keep on entertaining.
Apart from regular games, NBA waterboys also work during practice sessions as they could sometimes get almost as hectic as traditional games, and the players will need to stay hydrated. Waterboys also perform other duties like assisting players with training, exercises, game preparation, and injury rehabs.
Like many other job roles, their duties may also require following team health, sanitation, and equipment-handling protocols. Waterboys have to make sure that towels are adequately taken care of and not just placed anywhere. Because of sweat and other fluids, they have to take extra care in performing their duties to help keep the team area clean and organized.
How to Become an NBA Waterboy
If you’re looking to become an NBA waterboy, you should be ready to put in your best efforts, as getting any job in the NBA is often competitive. Your first action should be to contact your local team about the qualifications they need for a waterboy.
Different organizations and teams have laid down requirements and procedures for employing waterboys. Some teams recruit through tryouts, applications, referrals, or official job postings; when you contact the team, they will give you the information. NBA teams post openings at different times, and you may be a perfect fit for any of them. Sometimes, you won’t know they are looking for recruits because they may not widely advertise every opening; your best bet is to reach out to them or check official team career pages.
Another path to becoming a waterboy is asking relatives, acquaintances, or friends that have NBA connections for any information. Even though they aren’t coaches or high-ranking officials, if they work in the office or close to people that do, they may have some news to give you.
Apart from having the right contacts, you should also have the right attitude for the job and find out all you can about it. Develop yourself on the skills they are looking for and watch some games to see how NBA waterboys do their jobs. Observe where they sit on the benches, when and how they approach players, when they leave the players, and any vital information. Knowing all of this beforehand can give you a leg up over your competition.
Since the working pace in the NBA usually fluctuates depending on the period, you should prepare adequately as you do not know when opportunities will open up. It might be boring for some people to perform the same action continuously, but it could help refine techniques and movement. It would be best if you didn’t mess up as a waterboy in the middle of a game. You could also have athletic experience of any form because the teams tend to prioritize candidates who know how things work in sports.
Skills an NBA Waterboy Needs to Have
Like other jobs requiring skills and dedication, so does being a waterboy. One of the most important things about being a waterboy is being in good physical condition to handle all the running around the job demands. Also, you should have the presence of mind in the game and act appropriately without anyone telling you to.
A good waterboy is always alert, ready to meet the players’ needs at any time, from the game preparation opening tip to the last buzzer. Since the NBA is the top of professional basketball in America, some teams may prefer or request relevant education, experience, or credentials for more advanced staff roles.
Other Benefits NBA Waterboys Have
Other perks that come with being a waterboy include watching games up close, and full-time team roles may include benefits such as health insurance. Also, depending on the team, some waterboys can have access to the team’s merch and other benefits. Bonuses, stipends, and incentives vary by team and position, so they should not be assumed for every waterboy or team attendant role.
However, they could get some stipends from time to time and lunch money depending on the team and performance. One of the best benefits of working in the NBA is seeing all of these legendary players up close and being on the same courts as them. I know what I would give to watch the training sessions of NBA superstars.
Also Read:
Conclusion
The requirements for being a waterboy vary depending on the team, but you can summarize their duties as always being present for the players/team and having a keen eye for the needs of others. Remember that you have to be physically fit to be a waterboy or any task related to basketball. If you have a background in science or nutrition, definitely go for it as it will give you an edge over others.
Keep persisting and checking for opportunities in your local team, leverage any connections you have to the NBA and stay prepared if you want to get a job as an NBA waterboy. Before long, you could be one of the people working in a paid team-support role around professional basketball.