Today in Sports History: October 28

October 29, 2018

New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers — LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 28: Referee Violet Palmer #12 watches the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets at the Staples Center on November 28, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 89-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

On October 28, 1997, the NBA announced that it had hired Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner, the first two female referees in a major league all-male sports league. Palmer would be the first female to officiate an NBA game, being a referee for the Vancouver Grizzlies’ opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Palmer would go on to officiate in the NBA until 2016, when she had to retire due to knee pain. Kantner was in the NBA until she was fired in 2002, and now she is a referee for women’s basketball in the NCAA.

Today in Sports History: October 28

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