Waynes Barnes allegedly has a net worth of one million dollars. Wayne, a well-respected rugby referee, has lately announced his retirement from the sport. The record-breaking English referee’s last assignment was during the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Wayne and his wife, Polly, recently discussed the hatred he got both online and in the stadium when officiating the last game between New Zealand and South Africa. Barnes uploaded an Instagram post earlier today in which he discussed leaving the sport after 20 years. Barnes has committed to continue advocating for referees and working closely with the International Ruby Match Officials Association.
Barnes was reportedly one of the highest-paid rugby referees throughout his tenure. But Barnes has always captured the hearts of rugby fans with his exceptional refereeing abilities, which have maintained him at the top of his game for two decades.
Wayne Barnes’ Net Worth
Wayne Barnes, a former international rugby union referee, has a net worth of $1 million. The 44-year-old was one of the finest at his job and also the most compensated. Barnes is the most capped referee in international rugby history, having officiated in 111 tests. He officiated at a record five World Cups. And now, the 2023 World Cup is his last.
The Sun stated that referees in the 2023 Rugby World Cup will get $5,000 each game. The Englishman officiated six games, including the finals, totaling $30,000. According to several publications, experienced referees with years of expertise make $200,000 every game. Rookie referees are claimed to receive $500 every match, while female referees get $750. Professional referees often get $1.5k to $4k for the main event. Barnes oversaw six games in the 2019 World Cup and has officiated 27 matches in five World Cups.
Barnes has refereed three Champions Cup finals and 26 Six Nations matches between 2007 and 2023. Despite his professional success, Barnes remains modest. Barnes’ Instagram username, which has 19k followers, reflects his modest and minimalist lifestyle. He primarily posts work-related content and has declared his departure from the photo-sharing site.
Wayne Barnes Family
The English referee married a lady who is deeply connected to the sport he loves. Wayne Barnes is married to Polly Barnes, the co-founder and director of the Women’s Rugby Association. The couple has two children, Juno and Beau, who are spotted at rugby games. Polly attended the University of Valencia and the University of Surrey and formerly worked as an Account Manager at 3Sixty Design. She subsequently joined Iris, a marketing firm, in 2008 and served as business director for ten years. Before joining Riskhub in 2021, she worked as a commercial director at Fireball.
Polly joined Nurture London as a Consultant commercial director after spending two years at Fireball and continues to work there. Polly joined the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA) in 2021 as a co-founder and director. In an interview with The Times, Polly said that she felt driven to form the new organization to assist women’s rugby players who were going through a difficult time.
Stories like those of Welsh top player Alisha Butchers, who had to seek crowd financing to pay for ankle surgery, led Polly to form the organization. The WRA is distinct from the Rugby Players’ Association. Polly does have an Instagram account, but she keeps it secret. Barnes also serves as 50 Sport’s Head of New Business & Marketing, a position she assumed in March.
