NFL begins onboarding replacement officials as referee labor deal nears expiration: report

[aggregator] downloaded image for imported item #65272

This post was originally published on this site.

TheNFLhas reportedly begun onboarding replacement officials in case their unionized referees are not available.

The Athletic reported that teams were issued a memo by league officials Wednesday to inform them thatpotential replacementshad undergone or were undergoing background checks.

The outletreported that the officials have worked at the NCAA level in all divisions, and physical examinations will follow.

NFL referees standing on the field at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas

Referees stand on the field before a game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Dec.25, 2024.(Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

The NFL Referees Association is aiming for a new labor deal, and teams were told to expect replacement officials at practices if a deal is not reached by June 1.The current deal between the NFLRA and league expires May 31, and the league and the NFLRA have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. 

Read More → Coast Guard rescues family stranded for days in Pacific after boat failure sets them adrift

“Throughout the process, we will continue to solicit your feedback on the performance of the potential replacement officials as we finalize the game official roster for training camp and preseason games,” Perry Fewell, the league’s senior vice president of officiating, wrote in the memo,via ESPN.

Read More → Mike Johnson says he supports expelling Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over dozens of ethics violations

Referee Shawn Hochuli signaling a holding penalty during an NFL game at Gillette Stadium.

Referee Shawn Hochuli calls a holding penalty during a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills on Dec.(Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

DIANNA RUSSINI RESIGNS FROM THE ATHLETIC AMID MIKE VRABEL CONTROVERSY

Read More → Baby among 3 dead in holiday horror as Easter egg hunt turns deadly

“The negotiations haven’t progressed the way we hoped from a timing standpoint,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the conclusion of the league’s annual meeting.“We obviously have obligations to fans and everyone in the National Football League to play.We’ll be prepared to play.We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiations.”

Replacement officials were used to start the 2012 season, and arguably the most infamous result of that was the “Fail Mary” in Seattle, when the Seahawks won on a controversial simultaneous possession ruling on a late-game end zone play.

Read More → Blockade 101: American sea power on display as Trump corners Iran and warns off China

Last year, the NFL signaled its intent to strengthen officiating through greater accountability and performance standards, saying it “remained focused on implementing changes to the agreement in ways that will improve the performance of our game officials, increase accountability and ensure that the highest-performing officials are officiating our highest profile games.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talking with Referee John Hussey on the field

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, talks with referee John Hussey before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings Jan.13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz.(Ross D.Franklin/AP)

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

The NFLRAhas reportedly resisted at least some proposed changes, prioritizing the status quo.

� Chantz Martin contributed to this report.

�s 

Must Read

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top