Lockout Comes to End for NFL Refs

Replacement Refs with opposing calls
Monday Night in Packers/Seahawks game

After an uproar from coaches, players and fans about the horrible calls of the replacement refs, things reached the highest peak of outrage Monday night when one ref called an obvious interception by the Packers a touchback and another ref signaled the catch as an touchdown for the Seahawks. Well that call might have been the call that got the refs and the league at the table to come up with an agreement.



The league and the NFLRA reached and 8-year agreement Wednesday night that has ended the referee lockout.  According to Roger Goodell the refs will be back on the field in time for tonight's Thursday night game, as the lockout has been temporarily lifted.  The officials will vote on the eight year agreement Friday and Saturday in Dallas, Texas.

"The long-term future of our game requires that we seek improvement in every area, including officiating.  This agreement supports long-term reforms that will make officiating better.  The teams, players and fans want and deserve both consistency and quality in officiating.  We look forward to having the finest officials in sports back on the field and I want to give special thanks to NFL fans for their passion.  Now it's time to put the focus back on the teams and players where it belongs." -Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

It was reported early Wednesday that the league and officials were close to an agreement but sources reported that it would take a week to get the locked out officials on the field.  Looks like everything worked out for the best because I don't think that the coaches, players or fans could take another week of the replacement refs, especially after Monday night's game deciding call.

Terms of Agreement:

• The current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for the current officials through the 2016 season (or until the official has reached 20 years of service).
• Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in the 2017 season through a defined contribution arrangement which will have two elements.
• Compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 per year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019.
• Beginning the 2013 season,  NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full time basis to work year round, including on the field.
• NFL will also have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes and can assign those additional officials to work NFL games.

via NFL.com