Richie Powers

Richie Powers
Powers officiating the 1976 NBA Finals
Born(1930-10-14)October 14, 1930
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 31, 1998(1998-07-31) (aged 67)
OccupationNBA referee (1956–1979)
Spouse(s)Virginia; a second marriage ended in 1987

Richard Francis Powers (October 14, 1930 – July 31, 1998) was an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1979. He worked 25 NBA Finals games, including the triple-overtime Game 5 contest in the 1976 NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, considered "the greatest game ever played" in the NBA, as well as three All-Star Games. Following his career in the NBA, Powers was a sportscaster for WABC-TV.