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bluedigger

(17,087 posts)
Mon Jun 4, 2012, 12:37 PM Jun 2012

NFL to begin process for replacement refs

[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0.3077em 0.3077em 0em 0em; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"]NFL to begin process for replacement refs[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0em 0em 0.3077em 0.3077em; background-color: #f4f4f4; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"]By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff

If you had problems with officiating in the Celtics-Heat series, it could be worse during the NFL season.

Negotiations between the league and the referees union over a new collective bargaining agreement has reached an impasse and the CBA expired.

As the two sides continue their standoff, the NFL announced that it will "proceed immediately" with hiring and training replacement officials.

Regional training sessions for replacement officials will begin later this month.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NFL to begin process for replacement refs (Original Post) bluedigger Jun 2012 OP
Damn it Goodell ... Auggie Jun 2012 #1
Never understood why this wasn't done VWolf Jun 2012 #2
And just how much do you think they should make. Angleae Jun 2012 #4
That's a good question JonLP24 Jun 2012 #5
I'll let the Union decide that Auggie Jun 2012 #6
Scab refs. MrSlayer Jun 2012 #3

Auggie

(31,177 posts)
1. Damn it Goodell ...
Mon Jun 4, 2012, 01:02 PM
Jun 2012

Make them full-time employees with benefits and pay them well. You and your owners are making tons of money.

VWolf

(3,944 posts)
2. Never understood why this wasn't done
Mon Jun 4, 2012, 01:36 PM
Jun 2012

Compared to the players' salaries, how much could it cost, really?

Having been a soccer ref for years, I can tell you it's a thankless job.

Angleae

(4,490 posts)
4. And just how much do you think they should make.
Tue Jun 5, 2012, 03:10 AM
Jun 2012

Keep in mind they work only 20 games/year + maybe another 10 days for meetings/training. $27000-$70000 isn't bad for 30 days work.

JonLP24

(29,322 posts)
5. That's a good question
Tue Jun 5, 2012, 03:54 AM
Jun 2012

Not meant for me but I'll give it a shot.

But before I get into it, I was curious where you got that figure?

I think refs should get paid whatever they can bargain for and supply & quality of supply of refs will dictate that. The NFL will try to pay their employees as little money as possible. Calvin Johnson makes the money he does because he is difficult to replace. The supply of professional starter quality receivers is low and one of his level is even lower which vastly increases his bargaining power. He is actually making less than he could be if there was no salary cap and no real viable competing professional football league.

Similar principles apply to referees. Are the NFL quality referees easily replaceable? NFL is attempting to show that they are somewhat replaceable. Like players, how good you are isn't the only factor to the employer, but can you still maximize profits? NFL using replacement players would probably cost them a ton of viewers & tickets but replacement refs? Most if not all that normally watch probably will watch.

My answer is whatever the refs can bargain for is how much they should make which I answered but felt like rambling. Reason is a lot of people that feel athletes are overpaid are IMO missing the point. They often compare it to how much common job workers make but the reason those workers make pennies compared to athletes is because the athletes are much harder to replace. If the Lions could get away w/ paying Calvin Johnson $40,000 a year they would but someone else would offer $50,000, then another team will offer... etc. which is why we get these salaries today. So the $27000-$7000 for 30 days work doesn't mean a whole lot to me. The supply of NFL quality refs, the bargaining power of the refs & bargaining power of the NFL would determine to me how much they should make and we'll find out eventually what that is.

I support unions but more than I support unions I support the bargaining process. I likely won't cross picket lines or take a job during a strike in most cases(I would like say all but I still take the bus during strikes because I really don't have a choice w/ no car), though I'll probably still watch the NFL which has me wondering if that is the right thing to do if this stand-off is continuing. I hate it when lawmakers rig the bargaining process in favor of employers like the policies of Walker in Wisconsin. Anyways, I made my point long ago which is asking to name a figure is difficult to answer since how much they should make depends on what the two sides agree to and I'll stop rambling

Auggie

(31,177 posts)
6. I'll let the Union decide that
Tue Jun 5, 2012, 09:50 AM
Jun 2012

Considering how important every game of the season is, these guys should be paid accordingly ... and with benefits.

BTW, I think it's time for women referees too.

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