For the 2nd year in a row, the NFL is embroiled in a labor dispute. Don’t panic though, this one is just with the referees. The league’s CBA with its officials expired this year and they’ve been unable to come to an agreement on a new deal. So, in a statement released today, the NFL has decided to hire replacement referees.
↵↵↵Negotiations with the NFL Referees Association on a new collective bargaining agreement remain unresolved and the previous CBA has expired. Therefore, in order to ensure that there is no disruption to NFL games this season we will proceed immediately with the hiring and training of replacement officials.
↵Our goal is to maintain the highest quality of officiating for our teams, players, and fans, including proper enforcement of the playing rules and efficient management of our games.
↵
While I doubt fans will really concern themselves that much with who is refereeing the games, if a deal doesn’t get done and replacement refs do start the year… you have to wonder whether the quality of officiating will decline?
↵Then again, maybe it will improve with the replacements?