The Facts:
With opening night of the 2012 NFL season one week away, the league office alerted all 32 teams Wednesday that the season will begin with replacement officials in place, according to a memo obtained by NFL.com and NFL Network. Negotiations between the league and the NFL Referees' Association remain "deadlocked," according to the memo sent by NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson.
Reported by NFL.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Aug. 23 the full-time officials likely would need seven to 10 days to prepare for Week 1. The first full Sunday of action is Sept. 9. The sides have been at a standstill since the league locked out the NFLRA in early June. Anderson said in Wednesday's memo there remains a "considerable gap" in negotiations and no discussions currently are scheduled. "We remain apart on economic issues, as well as on fundamental non-economic matters," the memo said. "From an economic perspective, the differences involve both pay and pension. Our last offer, tendered to the union prior to the beginning of the lockout, would have given officials significant annual pay increases. Nonetheless, there remains a considerable gap between us." The replacement officials have come under heavy fire throughout the preseason, with multiple players questioning their ability to institute the rules and enforce the NFL's player safety policies.
Profile
Home
