The NFL and the NFLRA have finally come to an agreement to end the lockout that has kept the regular officiating staff of the field this NFL season. It couldn't have come at a better time, with the controversial call heard around the world on Monday Night Football when the replacement referees made a game deciding call on a catch that gave the Seattle Seahawks the game. It sent the Green Bay Packers packing and left all of America with a salty taste in their mouth.
The NFL and the Referee Union have been in talks for a while to get a new contract worked out, but have failed on countless attempts to find common ground. The meetings became sporadic and the NFL worked with what they had in the replacement refs. However, after all of the backlash from last weekend's officiating, the talks heated up again this week. Wednesday, the two sides met and the negotiating lasted until well after 11:00pm EST, according to a league source. By the time they had separated, an agreement had been made.
While all of the details of the contract are not yet known at this time, as the papers have yet to be signed, we do know that NFL and the NFLRA agreed to create a developmental program as a compromise to the league's demand for the addition of 21 officials to the current contingent of 121 NFLRA members. These referees would not be considered part of the Union, would not work games, and would not be eligible to be subbed in initially. They would be required to be mentored by an existing referee and work one day a week with them. The pool of money for the existing officials would remain the same. As the developmental referees improve and reach the standards of NFL officiating, they would be considered for NFLRA membership. At that time the pool of money would be adjusted accordingly.
When a prominent regular official was interviewed earlier this week, he stated that the regular referees would be ready to go on a days notice. They have been keeping up with the sport and would not need transition time. This is welcome news with a Thursday night game slated for tonight between division foes, the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. With the deal being made late on Wednesday night and the officials being ready for action, Roger Goodell stated, "Our officials will be back on the field starting Thursday night." This is a relief to everyone involved in the NFL, fans included.
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