NBA referee Derek Richardson has added a new title to his résumé: school owner. Richardson recently purchased a private elementary school in Inglewood, California, making headlines for a move that bridges professional sports and community education, as reported by Black America Web.
Details surrounding the purchase — including the school's name, enrollment size, and Richardson's specific plans — remain limited. But the acquisition signals a growing trend of sports figures investing directly in educational institutions rather than simply donating to existing programs.
Inglewood, home to SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome, has been undergoing rapid transformation in recent years. Richardson's decision to invest in a school there suggests a commitment to ensuring the city's youngest residents benefit from the area's development boom.
Richardson has officiated in the NBA for multiple seasons and is known within league circles for his steady presence on the court. His off-court venture into education adds him to a growing list of sports professionals leveraging their platforms and resources to address gaps in youth development and community infrastructure.
