NFL set to begin hiring and training replacement officials, AP sources say

Referee Clay Martin (19), far left, talks with the officiating crew during an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar, file) 2026-03-30T11:08:15Z PHOENIX (AP) — The NFL is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the conversations are private.

The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024.

The current CBA expires on May 31 .

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 people said.

AP AUDIO: NFL set to begin hiring and training replacement officials, AP sources say A number of topics minus one controversial play will be up for debate at this year’s NFL meetings.

Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

NFLRA executive director Scott Green told The Associated Press on Monday: “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.

The league wants compensation tied to performance so that only high-performing game officials during the regular season share in the year-end bonus pool.

The league is also seeking greater flexibility to ensure the best officials are on the field during the postseason.

The current CBA includes seniority as a factor in making postseason assignments.

Shortening the “dark period” is also a priority for the NFL.

Currently, the league has no communication with game officials during the roughly three-month stretch between the Super Bowl and May 15.

The goal is to increase access to game officials for rules discussions, video review, mechanics and appropriate football operations and committee meetings in order to improve the game and officials’ performance.

The NFL is offering to hire some full-time officials, but one of the people said the union is resisting and is asking for “full-time pay and part-time hours.” Green told the AP the 2012 and 2019 CBA agreements included provisions that would allow some officials to serve in full-time roles.

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原文链接: AP News