Violet Palmer is a name synonymous with breaking barriers in sports history. Palmer is famously known for being the first female referee to work a National Basketball Association (NBA) game in 1997. She has since gone on to help pave the way for women in sports officiating and has received immense recognition and accolades for her contribution to the industry.
Besides her work as a referee, Palmer is also an accomplished athlete. She played basketball and volleyball in college and was a stellar point guard. The skills she acquired led her to compete professionally for twelve years in the Women's Basketball League in the United States and abroad. She also played for Team USA at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Russia, where the team won a silver medal.
In this article, we will delve into Palmer's life and achievements. We will explore her personal and professional details, including her age, height, body measurements, and net worth. We will also examine her impact on the world of sports, particularly her role in breaking down gender barriers and making a name for herself in an industry dominated by men.
Violet Palmer: A Complete Bio
Early Life and Education
Violet Palmer was born in 1964 in Lynwood, California. She grew up playing basketball, and was a standout player at her high school. After graduating, she attended Cal State Poly Pomona, where she continued to play basketball and earned a degree in Business Administration.
Career
Palmer began her officiating career in the early 1990s, working high school and college games. In 1997, she became the first female official in NBA history, and went on to officiate over 900 regular season games and 10 playoffs.
Palmer's success as an NBA official paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. In addition to her officiating career, she has been an advocate for women in sports and is involved with several organizations that promote gender equality in athletics.
Personal Life
Palmer is known for being a private person, and little is known about her personal life. However, she has spoken publicly about her experience as a gay woman in the sports industry, and has been praised for her bravery and activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Net Worth
Although Palmer's net worth is not publically known, she is widely considered to be one of the most successful and respected officials in NBA history.
Early Life and Education
Violet Palmer was born on July 20, 1964, in Lynwood, California, USA. Her parents were both basketball players, and she developed a love for the sport at an early age. Growing up, Palmer played basketball at her high school and was a standout athlete.
After graduating from high school, Palmer attended California State University in Long Beach, where she continued to play basketball and received a degree in Business Administration. She was named to the All-Big West Conference team three times during her collegiate career and helped lead her team to the NCAA Tournament twice.
Following college, Palmer pursued a career in basketball officiating, which was relatively new to women at the time. She attended several officiating camps and clinics before making her officiating debut in a high school game.
- Key Points:
- Violet Palmer was born in Lynwood, California in 1964.
- Her parents were basketball players, and she grew up playing the sport.
- Palmer attended California State University, Long Beach, where she played basketball and earned a degree in Business Administration.
- After college, she pursued a career in basketball officiating.
Career as an NBA Referee
Violet Palmer made history as the first female and openly gay referee in the NBA. She began her career as a referee in 1997 after attending the NBA's referee training camp.
Palmer quickly became known for her knowledgeable and fair officiating skills, which earned her a spot on the NBA's permanent officiating staff in 1999. She has since officiated over 1,000 NBA games, including 19 playoff games and 2 NBA Finals games.
Aside from her NBA career, Palmer has also served as a referee in international basketball games, including the 2006 World Championships and the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Throughout her career, Palmer has faced discrimination and harassment for being a woman in a male-dominated field, but has remained focused on her love of the game and her dedication to fair play. Her success as an NBA referee has paved the way for other women to pursue careers as referees in male-dominated sports.
Personal Life and Body Measurements
Violet Palmer was born in 1964 and grew up in Compton, California. She attended college at Cal Poly Pomona where she played basketball and earned a degree in education.
Palmer stands at five feet, six inches tall and has a muscular build from her years of playing basketball. Her exact body measurements are not publicly available.
In 2013, Palmer married celebrity hairstylist Tanya Stine in a ceremony in Palm Springs. The couple met while Stine was working on a photo shoot that Palmer was a part of.
- Height: 5'6"
- Build: Muscular
- Body Measurements: Not available
| Measurements | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5’6” |
| Weight | Not available |
| Bust Size | Not available |
| Waist Size | Not available |
| Hip Size | Not available |
Achievements and Net Worth of Violet Palmer
Violet Palmer has achieved a number of milestones in her career as an NBA referee, making her one of the most successful women referees of all time. She became the first woman to officiate an NBA playoff game in 2006, and was also the first woman to officiate an NBA Finals game in 2001. She has refereed over 1,000 NBA games during her career and has maintained a reputation as a fair and efficient referee.
Aside from her achievements on the court, Palmer has also been recognized for her contributions to the game of basketball. In 2015, she was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, recognizing her ground-breaking work as one of the first women to referee men's professional basketball games. She has also been an advocate for LGBT rights, and was the first openly gay referee in the NBA.
In terms of net worth, Violet Palmer's estimated net worth is around $5 million. Her career as an NBA referee has undoubtedly been a major contributor to her wealth, as she has been one of the most respected and highly paid referees in the league. Additionally, she has also made appearances on various media outlets, including ESPN and CNN, further increasing her visibility and income.
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Awards: Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015
- Milestones: First woman to officiate an NBA playoff game in 2006, and first woman to officiate an NBA Finals game in 2001
- Advocate: Advocate for LGBT rights, first openly gay referee in the NBA
FAQ
Who is Violet Palmer?
Violet Palmer is a retired basketball referee who made history as the first female referee to officiate an NBA game.
What is Violet Palmer's age?
Violet Palmer was born on July 20, 1964, which makes her 57 years old as of 2021.
How tall is Violet Palmer?
Violet Palmer is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall.
What are Violet Palmer's body measurements?
There is no information available on Violet Palmer's body measurements.
What is Violet Palmer's net worth?
According to various sources, Violet Palmer's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million USD.
