The NFLRA & The NFL Playoffs

If you are unhappy with the officiating in the NFL playoffs this year blame the union—the NFL Referees Association. The NFLRA decided to use “all-star” crews, assigning the league’s highest rated officials to work playoff games. The obvious problem is that these crews haven’t worked any games together as a unit, and their ability to blend and communicate is causing problems.

The NFLRA rates officials during the year, and the highest graded individuals are selected to work the playoffs--but not with their regular season crew. How did this happen? Because this right was collectively bargained for by the union with the NFL during the 2012 labor negotiations.

For a detailed analysis of this decision, including the rules involved in the selection of officials, here’s a link to the piece in today’s Boston Globe by their fantastic NFL writer Ben Volin who follows in the footsteps of Greg Bedard and Will McDonough in this space.