Professional football officials and the National Football League appear on the verge of finalizing a labor contract that would prevent referees from going on strike.
Following months of stalled talks, contract discussions have progressed to where the NFL Referees Association intends to conduct a ratification vote this week, according to someone familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks. ESPN initially broke the story.
In recent weeks, the league started preparing backup officials after contract talks had stalled.
The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its referees’ union expires on May 31.
Contract negotiations between both sides have been ongoing since summer 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,” NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell stated in an April memo to teams.
The NFL has proposed a 6.45% yearly increase in pay over six years, while the referees’ union seeks 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, according to two AP sources from March.
NFLRA executive director Scott Green disputed those figures, telling the AP “those numbers are not accurate.” He compared the current situation to 2012, when failed negotiations led to a 110-day lockout and the use of substitute referees.
“We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiations,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on March 31.
