|
The league has undertaken these steps because negotiations with
the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with
knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press last
month. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the
conversations are private.
The NFL's collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees
Association is set to expire on May 31.
NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell informed
head coaches and general managers in the memo that teams will
receive further information in the coming weeks about when
replacement refs would be able to work offseason workout
programs and minicamps, which begin in June.
The league and the union have been negotiating a new collective
bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024.
“The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable
agreement with the NFLRA but will be prepared in the event the
NFLRA permits the current agreement to expire,” Fewell said in
the memo.
The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in
compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10%
plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the two AP sources said
last month.
NFLRA executive director Scott Green told the AP “those numbers
are not accurate.” He said negotiations with the league are
similar to 2012 when a stalemate resulted in a 110-day lockout
and replacement referees were used.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
