How Euros final referee Björn Kuipers makes more money than some soccer players

Björn Kuipers during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley in London, England.

Shaun Botterill, UEFA/UEFA, Getty Images

• Björn Kuipers is the first Dutch referee for the European Championship soccer final.
• A referee's salary isn't enough to make them a big earner, but Kuipers has other sources of income.
• His father and grandfather were also soccer referees.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

Björn Kuipers was the referee for the European Championship soccer final between England and Italy on Sunday. /p>

What many don't know about the final referee is that he's on an equal footing with the soccer players he referees.

In his hometown of Oldenzaal near the German border, home to 35,000, Kuipers owns not just a supermarket but a hairdressing salon, too.

In fact, in 2016, his fortune was estimated at around $15.8 million (€13.4 million) - that makes him worth more than both Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish, according to the South China Morning Post.

Kuipers has a university degree in business administration but comes from a line of referees.

His grandfather Andries Van Leeuwen refereed a European Cup final in the 1960s and his father, Jan, was also a referee.

Jan was responsible for introducing his son Björn to the profession.

Allegedly, Jan Kuipers refereed one of his son's soccer games, with Björn constantly complaining to his father about him whistling.

Jan then put the whistle in his hand and told him to try and do a better job.

This is the Dutchman's fourth assignment at this European Championship.

He's the first Dutchman to referee at a European Championship final.

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