Referees Association, NFL ratify 7-year CBA to avoid work stoppage
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The NFL Referees Association ratified a new 7-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL, preventing a potential work stoppage before the 2026 season.
- The agreement includes increased offseason access to officials for training during minicamps, training camps, and joint practices, as well as a bench of officials and the use of performance metrics for postseason assignments.
- Officials will receive significant salary increases starting in 2025, including a 10% boost in regular-season game fees and up to 30% for Super Bowl assignments; the probationary period for new officials remains at three years.
- Negotiations lasted over two years and ended a stalemate that led the NFL to recruit potential replacement officials and propose new officiating rules contingent on their use, which will now not apply due to the agreement.
- Both NFL and NFLRA leaders emphasized the partnership and mutual commitment to improving officiating and expressed relief at reaching a long-term agreement to focus on the upcoming season.
