NFL and referees avoid work stoppage with new collective bargaining agreement
Key takeaways
- There will be no replacement referees — and therefore, hopefully, no “Fail Mary” repeat — in the NFL this fall.
- The league and the NFL Referees Assn. have avoided a work stoppage by agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement that runs through the 2032 season.
- The sides having been negotiating since the summer of 2024, and the NFL had begun the hiring process for replacement officials last month.
NFL referee Shawn Hochuli (83) and back judge Jimmy Russell (82) review a play at the instant replay cart during a game between the Chargers and New York Giants on Sept. 28 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Adam Hunger / Associated Press) By Chuck Schilken Staff Writer Follow May 8, 2026 11:39 AM PT 3 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
There will be no replacement referees — and therefore, hopefully, no “Fail Mary” repeat — in the NFL this fall.
The league and the NFL Referees Assn. have avoided a work stoppage by agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement that runs through the 2032 season.