If you've been watching any preseason games this year, you’ve
probably heard the commentators talk about the use of replacement referees. If
you’re like me and don’t really care about the preseason, here’s what’s happening:
The NFL and the NFL Referee’s Association have yet to sign a new collective
bargaining agreement. Just like the NFL lockout last summer, this means that
NFL officials won’t be working any NFL games this season until a new deal is
agreed upon. The two sides met late last week for a few days but were unable to
structure and sign a new contract. After talks broke down on Saturday, the NFL
announced that replacement officials will be used during week 1 of the season, beginning September 5.
The NFL has already made some minor concessions during the
negotiations, but it’s clear the NFLRA still wants other additions, including
salary increases and better pension/retirement benefits. Nothing has been
settled as of yet, so it looks like we’ll have replacement officials for the foreseeable
future, at least until the two sides agree to meet again.
From the limited about of preseason games I’ve watched,
along with a plethora of YouTube clips (see below), it’s clear that the
replacement referees could be doing a whole lot better. Players and coaches
have had varying degrees of disgruntlement, but those sentiments will
surely increase exponentially once a replacement ref makes a horrible/game-changing
call during the regular season. On the bright side, the NFL has announced that
they’ll be sending their own officiating supervisors to each game to assist the
replacements. The supervisor’s authority will be limited, as final decisions
will still be made by the referees. However, the supervisor will be able to
communicate with officials from a booth to ensure correct enforcement of
penalties. Hopefully this will lessen the likelihood of major mistakes, but I’m
not sold entirely.
As an NFL fan, I hope the NFL and NFLRA can come to a fair
agreement as soon as possible. It’s not like the 2011 NFL lockout, because they’re
will still be football, but replacement officials can certainly have a negative
impact on game outcomes and fan enjoyment.
If it's the referees who want concessions from the owners, why is this a lockout rather than a strike? Shouldn't the NFL be happy to have the refs keep working under the old agreement until something new can be worked out?
ReplyDeleteIt's a lockout because the old collective bargaining agreement expired. Therefore the regular referees cannot work for the NFL until a new one is reached.
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