What Are the Real Refs and the NFL Actually Fighting About? Here’s What You Need to Know

The Blaze ^ | 9/26/12 | Becket Adams

[mazda77]

[snip]Simply put, most of this dispute comes down to the NFLRA opposing the NFL’s attempts to make refs contribute to their own pensions.[snip]

[snip]Of course, there are other, less contentious issues being negotiated: the NFLRA wants the NLF to increase the $18.6 million it currently splits among its 121 referees. The NFL will only go as high as $19 million. Also, the NFL wants to hire more refs and make the ones they have full-time employees.

Wait, wait, wait! Professional NFL refs are part-time employees?

Yup. In fact, a lot of them work other jobs in the offseason. This means that along with the $150,000 they make annually for officiating games, most NFL refs also have a second source of income. And that’s not all: NFL officials work an average 20-25 hours week (not including travel).

However, it’s important to note that NFL refs are paid by the game.

“If an official misses a few games because of a few bad calls, that can cut into compensation. And the NFLRA, like the Chicago Teachers Union, doesn’t want its members’ compensation subject to performance reviews,” Bloomberg Businessweek weeks notes.[snip]

[Tula Git]

So, we’re all Raiders ;-)

[Tula Git]

networks and down to the advertisers considering the same free market rules.

I'm amazed that any advertiser would want his product associated with this farce.

but they can screw the pooch just as anyone and soon be playing second fiddle to the SEC if they disregard the end game, the customer.

Soooo true.

[Tula Git]

networks and down to the advertisers considering the same free market rules.

I'm amazed that any advertiser would want his product associated with this farce.

but they can screw the pooch just as anyone and soon be playing second fiddle to the SEC if they disregard the end game, the customer.

Soooo true.

[massgopguy]

Offensive Interference. Game over.

[Tula Git]

yes...that too. That call was obvious but not made.

Wonder why?

[mmichaels1970]

I saw a replacement ref blow a coin toss once...oh wait, that was a "real" ref.

To heck with the NFLRA, I don't miss them.

Just watching the MSM (ie Shep Smith) screaming about what a crisis this is convinces me even more to hope the owners ride it out.

Professional football referee is not an occupation that needs to be unionized...ever.

If they like their jobs, they should cross the line and become "replacements" themselves.

I remember the NFL cracking the union years ago by using replacement PLAYERS. I certainly have no problem with them doing it with referees.

[JLS]

RIght, I knew I was commenting on the story, not what you were reporting. Of course a job is worth what it is worth no matter how many other jobs someone might choose to have. It is a bit odd that part time employees have pension issues to strike over.

[mmichaels1970]

Mr. K, I usually italicize the parts of a post I agree with, but in this case, I'd simply be repasting your entire post.

I agree with everything you say. People act like this was the first time a game was ever decided by what they think was a blown call.

I was in the dawg pound during "bottlegate", these things happen.

[slumber1]

I would have more faith in my future retirement checks coming from the NFL instead of depending on those checks depending upon the future of our stock market.....

I hate to break it to you but even private pension plans are invested in the stock market. It's not like the NFL keeps pension money in a "lock box"

[JimRed]

Just think about it, it is getting closer to Australian Rules Football with each passing week...

Aussie football is a great spectator sport once you get the concepts down; I'd like to see more of it!

[mmichaels1970]

bottlegate video

[JimRed]

More fun than a barrel of greased monkeys!

CODE WORD ALERT! CODE WORD ALERT! CODE WORD ALERT!

MONKEYS = RACIST! MONKEYS = RACIST!
MONKEYS = REALLY, REALLY RACIST!

[Orange1998]

Good point. At least the replacements are not that bad.

[chiefqc]

Work and elected officials don’t go together.

[Baseballguy]

The owner is the responsible party not the fan. Why not have a football team in every city?

The real issue is that there is a belief that football means something?

[mazda77]

At first, I thought you were going to alert the G word! LOL

[JimRed]

At first, I thought you were going to alert the G word! LOL

That one counts if it is ended with an "R"!