NFL

NFL And Refs End Negotiations, Everyone Slams Their Heads Against The Nearest Wall

Watching replacement refs doing things like this, and this, and this has been entertaining. And even though they’ve stumbled and bumbled through their first taste of professional football, it’s only preseason. There was always the lingering hope that at the 11th hour a deal could be struck and we’d once again enjoy Ed Hochuli’s massive biceps robotically pointing for a first down.

Well, folks, that was only a pipe dream because talks between the NFL and NFL refs have officially broken down.

Here’s more (or, really, less), via ESPN:

“The NFL Referees Association and the league have broken off talks after a third day of meetings Saturday failed to reach a resolution on a new labor deal.

‘We are disappointed because it means that our members will not be back on the field for Week 1 of the regular season due to the NFL’s continuing lockout,’ Mike Arnold, the lead negotiator for the referees, said in a statement. “We remain willing to negotiate with the NFL in order to reach a fair agreement.

‘However, no additional meetings are scheduled at this time.’”

So, why don’t you just, you know, negotiate? I understand that talka break down and progress comes to a stand still. So take a break and start negotiating again tomorrow. Why the delay? What is there to gain on either side by waiting? The refs don’t get paid and the NFL watches its product dismembered by amateurism. What if all negotiations were run this way? Oh hey there, bank robber. We can’t negotiate your hostages’ release, so we’re just going to go away for a month and then come back. WE WILL WIN THIS WAR OF ATTRITION BY BERATING YOU THROUGH THE MEDIA INSTEAD.

[ESPN]

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