NFL Referee Debacle Explained

(Michael Ramirez/Investors.com) SLIGHTLY MODIFIED

Here is Refgate 101:

The NFL wanted to convert the ref’s pension fund to a 401K just like all the rest of corporate America.  That said, if corporate America is vilified as a bunch of greedy bastards, the owners that make up the NFL are seen as the top 1% of the 1% of the greediest of all bastards.

In addition, the NFL wanted to add officials which would generally lower salaries (since refs would work fewer games) while offering a small pay raise to assuage any hurt feelings or wallets.

There were a few other issues, but, seriously, who really cares?

(ExtraPineTar.com)

The owners, the league office and Roger Goodell managed to make the Suits In Indianapolis (Formerly Kansas) look downright benevolent (and truly wise) with the whole mess, and only after it blew up in their faces game after game did they come back to the table and resolve the situation.

In the end, the NFL will continue to fund the refs’ pension for five more years before it converts to a 501K plan.  The NFL backed down on a plan to have three additional crews of seven officials hired and paid out of the total compensation package. The new hires are paid out of the NFL coffers and not out of the current officials' take. As for the compensation package, officials will average $149,000 a year in 2012, $173,000 in 2013 and $205,000 in 2019. Which doesn't suck.

The NFL won the right to add officials slowly over the coming years and to add “full time” officials at some point.

Now you know.

(Jeff Parker/Florida Today – Ft. Meyer News & Press)