(big lead sports)
After three weeks of controversial and aggravating officiating, the replacement officials in the NFL will be sent back to their day jobs. After immense pressure from both fans and players, the NFL decided it was time to give in to the demands of the regular officials and bring them back. Monday night’s game between the Packers and Seahawks was the final straw. The game ended in a controversial touchdown by the Seahawks to win the game. The Packers should have won the game according to a statement by the NFL, but the ruling could not be changed. This game lead to Roger Goodell joining the labor discussions with the NFL’s officials in an attempt to reconcile.
Thursday an agreement was reached between the two sides and the NFL officials will be back in action tonight, with the officials getting a significant pay raise as well. Prior to this agreement they were making $149,000 and will now make $173,000 for the 2012 season; by 2019 they will see an even greater increase to over $200,000 a year. This was the smartest move the league could have made, they understand that the league will never be the same unless they have the best and to get the best you have to pay them their worth. The NFL stepped up and is bringing the league back to the level it’s supposed to be at and we as fans should appreciate their willingness to swallow their pride and accept that they’re wrong.
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