The difference in salary between NFL referees and the chain gang crew is stark for a league that made around $19 billion in revenue during the 2022 season.
ESPN's Kyle Bonagura and Kris Rhim noted referees can earn as much as $200,000 annually, while the chain gang crew gets paid minimum wage.
John Antillon, who is in charge of the chain gang crew for the Los Angeles Rams, explained he thinks people want to be part of the team for the chance to be on the field.
"We all don't do it for the money," Antillon said.