In an officiating world grappling with recruitment gaps, burnout, and rising pressure at every level, one company is playing an active role in shaping where things go next. Not just outfitting referees, but influencing how they grow, improve, and stay in the game.
Greg Wilson, owner of Honig’s and an active NFL official, brings a unique dual perspective. Through his leadership, the company has become more than a uniform supplier. It is a reflection of the officiating community itself. Its challenges. Its culture. Its future.
And it is all built on one core idea: better officials start with better support.
Wilson’s officiating journey started long before he ever took over Honig’s. In fact, it started next door. As a kid, he grew up living beside NFL official Sid Semon. That relationship sparked a lifelong passion. One that eventually led Wilson to the NFL and later to the business side of officiating.
“I just wanted to be like Sid,” he said. “Fortunately, he mentored me from high school all the way up. I wouldn’t be here without him.”
That same mindset of long-term guidance and real mentorship now shapes how Wilson approaches both his own officiating and how Honig’s operates. It is not about quick wins. It is about staying power.
When Wilson acquired Honig’s in 2017, he didn’t come from apparel. He came from decades of officiating, law enforcement, and real estate investment. It was a leap. One driven by belief in the brand and what it could represent.
“I honestly had no idea what I was doing,” he admitted. “But Honig’s was the original name in officiating apparel. Everyone knew it. I saw something worth building.”
COVID hit soon after. With games on pause, the company faced a major test. Wilson stuck with it. He learned on the fly and gradually steered the brand into a new chapter. One more connected to officials than ever.
From his unique vantage point as both referee and business owner, Wilson sees the game differently. He is not just watching trends. He is living them.
At the professional level, it is all about replay and precision. But at the grassroots level, Wilson sees a more urgent issue. Rising pressure and unrealistic expectations for youth officials.
“People treat youth refs like they’re working the Super Bowl,” he said. “We’ve lost perspective. These are just kids playing games.”
Wilson’s call is simple. Let youth sports stay youth sports. Teach respect. Keep things in perspective. Stop expecting perfection from part-time officials who are still learning the craft.
Wilson isn’t concerned with building the next NFL crew. He is more focused on the middle. The high school official who stays for ten years. The college ref who gives back. The youth ump who shows up every weekend.
That is where Honig’s fits in.
Sure, they provide the gear. But more importantly, they support the lifestyle. Whether it is uniforms, equipment, or insight, the company remains grounded in what makes officiating valuable at every level. The relationships. The reps. The love of the game.
“There’s a lot of value in this work,” Wilson said. “Fitness, friendships, staying active. That’s what keeps people in it.”
At the core of Wilson’s philosophy is a belief in long-term thinking. He is not rushing to scale Honig’s or push refs up the ladder. He is focused on consistency and mentorship. Creating a positive officiating environment that makes people want to stay.
“You don’t get to the NFL overnight. It took me 20 years,” he said. “The ones who succeed are the ones who care about where they are now. Not just where they’re going next.”
That same mindset drives Honig’s. The company does not chase trends. It focuses on delivering what works. Built around the real needs of real officials.
Honig’s continues to serve thousands of officials across sports and levels. What sets them apart is not inventory. It is alignment. Officials know the person behind the company has walked in their shoes. He still does every weekend.
Greg Wilson isn’t just outfitting officials. He is helping build a culture that makes them want to stay in the game.
