Skip to content

NFL, referees' association in negotiations over expiring collective bargaining agreement

The National Football League and the NFL Referees Association are continuing negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire on May 31, 2026.[1][2]

Pro Football Talk reported that the league could turn to replacement referees if talks become contentious and extend into the preseason for the 2026 season.[1] ESPN reviewed internal emails indicating the NFL has begun laying the groundwork for potential use of replacement officials.[2]

Such a move would recall the 2012 lockout, when replacement referees—primarily from Division III colleges, high schools and developmental leagues—officiated the first three weeks of the season after the prior CBA expired on August 7, 2012.[3][4]

The controversy peaked on September 24, 2012, during a Monday Night Football game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers 14-12 on a disputed "Simultaneous Catch" ruling on a Hail Mary pass, dubbed the "Fail Mary."[3][4]

ESPN analyst and former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee criticized the potential plan on X, stating, "Nope we can’t be doing replacement high school refs in the nfl again," and called for better accountability among current officials.[2]

In 2024, the NFL expressed commitment to improving officiating standards, stating it remained "focused on implementing changes to the agreement in ways that will improve the performance of our game officials, increase accountability, and ensure that the highest-performing officials are officiating our highest profile games."[5]

The NFLRA represents approximately 121 game officials who work NFL regular-season and postseason games.[6]

Sources

  1. Pro Football Talk / NBC Sports. "NFL laying the groundwork to use replacement officials again if referees lockout lingers into the season." January 15, 2025. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2025/01/15/nfl-laying-the-groundwork-to-use-replacement-officials-again-if-referees-lockout-lingers-into-the-season.amp
  2. ESPN. "NFL prepares contingency plan for replacement refs amid ongoing labor talks." January 16, 2025. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/XXXXXXX/nfl-refs-negotiations-replacement-officials-emails
  3. NFL.com. "NFL, NFLRA reach long-term extension of collective bargaining agreement." September 27, 2012. https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-nflra-reach-long-term-extension-of-collective-bargaining-agreement-0ap2000000082347
  4. Pro Football Reference. "2012 NFL Officials Lockout." Accessed February 2025. https://www.profootballreference.com/years/2012/officials.htm
  5. NFL Operations. "NFL announces officiating improvements." 2024. https://operations.nfl.com/officiating/news/nfl-officiating-improvements-2024/
  6. NFL Referees Association. "About Us." Accessed February 2025. https://nflra.com/about/