The National Football League and its referees union reached a labor agreement on Friday that prevents a potential work stoppage and eliminates the need for substitute officials through the 2032 season.
The seven-year contract received approval from the NFL Referees Association’s executive board and was confirmed through a membership vote.
“We see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make our game better. It is good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season,” union President Carl Cheffers said.
Contract talks between the league and referees union started during summer 2024, with the previous agreement scheduled to end on May 31.
Last month, the NFL started recruiting substitute officials as contract discussions stalled, but those backup plans are no longer needed.
Both organizations released a joint statement explaining the contract addresses multiple areas including financial terms, job performance standards, and accountability measures.
“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “It also speaks to the game officials’ relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”
Specific contract details remain confidential.
However, sources familiar with negotiations told The Associated Press in March that the NFL had proposed a 6.45% yearly increase in referee pay over a six-year contract.
Back in 2012, contract negotiations broke down, leading to a 110-day lockout that forced the league to use substitute referees.
The replacement officials made numerous high-profile blunders, most notably the infamous “Fail Mary” incident when Russell Wilson threw a last-second touchdown pass to Golden Tate, giving Seattle a Monday night victory over Green Bay. Tate committed offensive pass interference that went uncalled and appeared to steal the ball from a Packers defender, yet officials still awarded him the touchdown catch despite conflicting calls on the field.
The league also deployed replacement officials during one preseason week and the 2001 season opener before resolving that labor dispute shortly after September 11th, allowing regular officials to return when play resumed after a one-week hiatus. That situation produced fewer notable officiating errors.
