NFL, Referees Reach 7-Year CBA Through 2033 as Owners Trade Higher Pay for Accountability
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 11
NFL, Referees Reach 7-Year CBA Through 2033 as Owners Trade Higher Pay for Accountability
7 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 11
A seven-year labor deal between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association will run through the 2032 season and expire on May 31, 2033.
Late-March talks had broken down, but owners stepped in directly after frustration over negotiators’ limited authority and pushed to avoid a repeat of the 2012 referee lockout.
Jerry and Stephen Jones, Clark Hunt and Joel Glazer helped drive the final agreement, offering significant increases in pay and benefits in exchange for more training, access, performance standards and a bench for underperforming officials.
The pact reflects how strongly owners want better officiating after sustained public criticism, and it may also signal to players that owners will pay up for priorities they truly value.
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