04/15/26 08:24:00
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04/15 20:23 CDT Likelihood of NFL replacement refs enters new stage with
background checks, physicals
Likelihood of NFL replacement refs enters new stage with background checks,
physicals
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
The NFL's process of hiring replacement referees has reached another stage,
according to a memo sent to teams.
Several replacement officials have completed hiring steps including background
checks and will soon progress to undergoing physical exams, per a memo sent to
teams on Wednesday that was obtained by The Associated Press. Training sessions
with NFL officiating supervisors would then begin as early as next month.
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. -__
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