Scott Foster Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Salary, Parents, Family, Stats, Retire

Biography

Scott Foster (born April 8, 1967) is a veteran NBA referee known as “The Extender” for his role in prolonging playoff series with controversial calls.

Hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, he began officiating high school and college games before joining the Continental Basketball Association and entering the NBA in the 1994–95 season, where he wears jersey number 48.

Over three decades, Foster has called over 1,675 regular-season games, 241 playoff contests, and 24 NBA Finals, including high-stakes moments like the 2019 Western Conference Finals that drew ire from players such as James Harden and Chris Paul.

Despite scrutiny tied to the 2007 Tim Donaghy scandal—where he was cleared by an NBA investigation—Foster remains a polarizing yet enduring figure in professional basketball.

American basketball official
Scott Foster
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Scott Foster
Stage Name:	The Extender
Born:	8 April 1967 (age 58 years old)
Place of Birth:	Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Colonel Zadok Magruder High School, University of Maryland
Height:	193 cm
Parents:	Richard “Dicky” Foster, Elizabeth Foster
Siblings:	David Foster
Spouse:	Paula Foster
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	3
Occupation:	Basketball Referee
Net Worth:	$3.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Scott Foster was born on April 8, 1967, in Silver Spring, Maryland, a vibrant suburb near Washington, D.C.

Growing up in a close-knit family, he was shaped by the values of his father, Richard “Dicky” Foster, a dedicated firefighter for Montgomery County, and his mother, Elizabeth Foster, a schoolteacher who instilled a love for learning.

With his Irish-American heritage, Scott was raised in a Catholic household, attending mass regularly with his family, which included two younger brothers, one named David Foster. His early years were marked by a strong sense of community, often seen coaching his brothers’ basketball games at a local recreation center, where his passion for officiating first took root.

At Colonel Zadok Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland, Scott displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, running Foster‘s Maintenance, a small lawn-mowing and trash disposal business, which he later passed to David.

He pursued higher education at the University of Maryland, College Park, graduating in 1993. During college, he began refereeing high school basketball games in the D.C. area, honing the skills that would define his career as a polarizing yet prominent NBA referee.

Career

Scott Foster began his officiating journey in the early 1990s, working high school basketball games around Washington, D.C., while studying at the University of Maryland.

After graduating in 1993, he advanced to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he refined his refereeing skills for two seasons. His NBA career officially started in the 1994–95 season when he joined the league as a referee, wearing jersey number 48.

Over the course of nearly three decades, Foster has built one of the most extensive officiating résumés in NBA history. He has officiated more than 1,675 regular-season games, 241 playoff matchups, and 24 NBA Finals games.

His consistent presence in high-stakes contests, including officiating in 20 consecutive NBA Finals from 2008 to 2023, reflects both his experience and the league’s trust in his ability to handle intense pressure.

Foster gained the nickname “The Extender” because of a perception among fans and players that his officiating sometimes extends playoff series through controversial decisions. He has been involved in several high-profile and contentious games, such as those in the 2019 Western Conference Finals, where players like James Harden and Chris Paul publicly criticized his calls.

His career faced heightened scrutiny during the 2007 Tim Donaghy gambling scandal, when it was revealed that he had communicated with Donaghy. However, the NBA conducted an investigation and ultimately cleared Foster of any wrongdoing.

Despite the polarizing opinions surrounding him, Scott Foster remains a prominent and enduring figure in NBA officiating, known for his resilience, longevity, and ability to manage some of the league’s most pressure-filled moments.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Scott Foster (basketball)
• Instagram: Scott Michael Foster (@scottmfoster)

Personal Life

Scott Foster is 58 years old, having been born on April 8, 1967.

He stands at 6 feet 4 inches (approximately 193 cm) tall, a stature that aids his commanding presence on the NBA court.

Scott Foster is married to Paula Foster, with whom he has built a private yet stable family life away from the spotlight of his high-profile refereeing career. Details about their wedding or the length of their marriage are not publicly available, reflecting the couple’s preference for discretion, and there is no record of prior marriages.

The couple has three children, whose names and specific details remain undisclosed to shield them from public scrutiny. Foster‘s family-oriented approach is evident in how he balances his demanding NBA schedule with fatherhood, though he rarely discusses them in interviews.

Net Worth

Scott Foster, the veteran NBA referee known as “The Extender,” has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million.

This figure primarily stems from his three-decade career officiating high-stakes games, including over 1,675 regular-season contests and 24 NBA Finals.

Foster earns an annual salary of approximately $550,000, placing him at the top end of the NBA’s officiating pay scale, which ranges from $150,000 to $550,000 for modern referees.

His financial standing underscores the rewards of longevity in a demanding profession, despite ongoing controversies surrounding his calls and past associations.