League and owners want more accountability, refs want more money.<\/p>\n
Published Mar 30, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The NFL will hire and train replacement referees over the next several weeks due to slow progress in talks with the referees\u2019 union, sources said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The league and the NFL Referees Association have been in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. The current contract expires at the end of May. On average, an NFL official earned $385,000 in 2025. The league\u2019s latest offer is a 6.45% annual growth rate over six years, but the union wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the sources said.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n But NFLRA boss Scott Green told The Associated Press those numbers were not accurate, adding the situation is similar to 2012, when failed talks resulted in a lockout that lasted 110 days and replacement referees were used. The replacements notoriously blew calls, including the infamous \u201cFail Mary\u201d touchdown catch<\/a>.<\/p>\n Amid the stalemate, the league has been drafting a list of college-level officials<\/a> to replace the referees, and owners are expected to greenlight replay enhancements<\/a> to help them.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED VIDEO We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play VideoLeague, owners also want change<\/p>\n Along with the amended rate, the league wants performance-linked compensation, so that only some officials share in the bonus pool at the end of the season. They also want more communication during the offseason with an eye to optimizing referee performance. The owners also want to add accountability measures such as increasing the probationary period for new officials to five years from three years, and replacing the seniority approach to calling playoff games and replacing it with a performance-based system.<\/p>\n The union has resisted the demands for change and argued NFL referees are woefully undercompensated in comparison to officials in other sports leagues.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cApparently \u2018League sources\u2019 are continuing to put out false and misleading information instead of wanting to meet at the negotiating table,\u201d Green said in a statement. \u201cThe bottom line is our officials work for the wealthiest sports league in America, with profits that far exceed any of the others. That\u2019s normally a point of pride for the NFL. However, our officials are substantially under-compensated when compared to baseball and basketball umpires and referees. Our officials also aren\u2019t provided the health care benefits that those at 345 Park Avenue have. As far as performance pay, we had \u2018high performing officials\u2019 who worked this year\u2019s championship games and the Super Bowl who were paid less for those games than what they were paid for a regular-season game. That certainly isn\u2019t rewarding performance, as the NFL claims is their goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n What happens when the Blue Jays meet Spittin’ Chiclets?<\/p>\n <\/a> What is your favourite Blue Jays moment ever?<\/p>\n![\"NFL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NFL-e1774894261180.jpg\")
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with the referees prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb. 02 in Miami. Photo by Ronald Martinez \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.8.4\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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