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The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the
conversations are private. ESPN first reported the development.
Last month, the league began the onboarding process for
replacement officials because negotiations weren’t progressing.
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees
Association is set to expire on May 31.
The league and the union have been negotiating a new CBA 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,” NFL senior vice
president of officiating Perry Fewell said in a memo sent to
teams in April.
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, two AP sources said in
March.
NFLRA executive director Scott Green told the AP “those numbers
are not accurate.” At the time, he said negotiations with the
league were similar to 2012 when a stalemate resulted in a
110-day lockout and replacement referees were used.
“We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also
keenly focused on negotiations,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
said on March 31.
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