NEW YORK — The National Football League is moving forward with contingency plans for substitute officials as contract talks with current referees remain stalled, according to communications sent to team organizations.
Multiple media outlets reported Wednesday that potential replacement officials have finished initial vetting processes, including background screenings, and are preparing to undergo medical evaluations. If these steps are completed, training with league officiating supervisors could commence as soon as next month.
The league is pursuing these backup measures due to unsuccessful contract discussions with the officials’ union, according to two individuals familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press last month under condition of anonymity given the confidential nature of the talks.
The current labor contract between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association expires on May 31.
ESPN reported that Perry Fewell, the league’s senior vice president of officiating, notified teams Wednesday that additional details will be provided in coming weeks regarding when substitute officials might be available for offseason training programs and minicamps scheduled to start in June, should no agreement be reached with the union.
Contract discussions between the two sides have been ongoing since summer 2024.
The NFL has raised its proposal to a 6.45% yearly increase in pay over a six-year contract, while the NFLRA is seeking 10% plus $2.5 million in marketing fees, according to the two AP sources from last month.
NFLRA executive director Scott Green disputed these figures to the AP, stating “those numbers are not accurate.” He compared the current negotiations to the 2012 situation when an impasse led to a 110-day lockout and the use of replacement officials.
