Ted Bernhardt (1946–2023) was an Evansville-born NBA referee who officiated 934 regular-season games during a 17-year NBA career. He retired from officiating in 2006. Bernhardt worked several high-profile games during his career, including the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.

Dennis Rodman incident

Bernhardt received national attention on March 16, 1996, when Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman head-butted him following an ejection. Rodman also knocked over a water cooler and removed his jersey before leaving the court. The NBA suspended Rodman for six games and fined him $20,000.

2002 Western Conference Finals

Bernhardt was part of the officiating crew for Game 6 of the controversial 2002 Western Conference Finals between Sacramento and Los Angeles. Years later, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy alleged that officials had influenced the game in favor of the Lakers. The NBA disputed allegations that the game had been fixed.

Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon later described Game 6, officiated by Bernhardt, Bob Delaney and Dick Bavetta, as among the worst-officiated games he had witnessed during his career covering professional basketball.