Arts, Media & CommunicationsO*NET: 27-2023.00
Will AI Replace Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials?
Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
33out of 100
Low Risk
AI Risk Score
33/100
Risk Level
Low
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
8
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
⚡AI-Assisted (6)
- Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
- Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
- Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
- Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
- Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
- Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
Key Skills Analysis
Speaking
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.75/5.00
PersuasionAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Related Occupations
Coaches and Scouts
32/100 — Low Risk
Athletes and Sports Competitors
26/100 — Low Risk
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
33/100 — Low Risk
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
4/100 — Very Low Risk
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
82/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials have a low risk of AI replacement with a score of 33/100. This role requires significant human skills like creativity, empathy, and complex decision-making that AI cannot easily replicate.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research