Sep 26, 2012
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that the NFL and the Refrees Union are close to a deal that will end the labor dispute between the two parties.
Mortensen writes: “The NFL and the NFL Referees Association made enough progress in negotiations Tuesday night that the possibility of the locked-out officials returning in time to work this week’s games has been discussed, according to sources on both sides.”
In addition to being close to a new deal, the NFLRA claims that the normal referees are up to speed on the new rule changes and may be ready to officiate week 4 games. “Although league sources said it would take a week to get the locked-out officials on the field,” writes Mortensen, “the NFLRA says its 121 referees have been trained on the new rules implemented last season, have already passed physicals or are prepared to pass physicals immediately.”
Obviously, this is excellent news for NFL and fantasy football fans. It is unfortunate that the NFL and NFLRA could not come to an agreement sooner.
