Overview
- The NFL Referees Association, which scheduled a Thursday night ratification vote after talks advanced Tuesday, moved the sides close to a new contract before the May 31 expiration.
- Full ratification by May 31 would cancel the one-year contingency rules planned for replacement crews in 2026.
- NFL owners approved a provisional rule that would let the New York officiating command center change any on-field call in real time if replacements are used.
- The league recruited candidates from lower college ranks for potential replacement crews and targeted May for training and onboarding.
- The NFL proposed six years of pay averaging 6.45% raises per year, while reports of a 10% ask plus $2.5 million in marketing fees were disputed by union chief Scott Green.