Reports: Deal between NFL, referees close

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Chicago Tribune

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association reportedly have reached an agreement regarding backup crews, a significant step toward bringing regular referees back on the field, possibly by this weekend.

Enough progress was made during a late-night, early-morning negotiating session, that the possibility of the regular officials coming back for this week's games has been broached, sources on both sides told ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen.

Mortensen further reported that an agreement in principle is at hand, citing a source familiar to talks. A different league sources told ESPN.com that it would take a week to get the locked-out officials back on the field.

The owners, who previously haven't shown any willingness to give on the referees' benefits issues that led to the lockout, have become more involved in the talks, a source told NFL.com.

FULL story and video at link

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-reports-nfl-referee-lockout-could-end-soon-20120926,0,1115799.story

[Mean Gene]

1. About Time. nt

[lakercub]

2. Vegas got irritated

The irritation of the players and fans meant nothing...otherwise it never would have gotten to this point. But the Seahawks-Packers game cost a whole lot of bookies and casinos a whole lot of money. Bookies, casinos, and their "bosses" are not to be messed with.

[Mean Gene]

3. Forgot about that angle. nt

[hughee99]

5. When the outcome of a game (and the point spread)

can be significantly impacted by wacky calls, how can the handicappers set an accurate line? Not just the Seahawks-Packers, but all the games must have been tough on the bookies and casinos.

[bluedigger]

7. Tougher on the betters, I think.

The bookies made huge money on the books last weekend (~$150 million, I think). They were more concerned with losing their business long term, however. Who's going to place bets under those conditions?

[hughee99]

8. Possibly, since it certainly makes it more likely that fewer will want to bet such games,

but for the same reason it helped the bookies this week, it could "F" them next week. The added unpredictability has to make it harder to handicap.

[bluedigger]

9. It was just dumb luck the bookies made out this week.

That's pretty much the point, though. Betters don't like to rely on luck.

[benld74]

4. Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN,,,

named the Monday night touchdown call

ready for this?



The Inaccurate Reception!!!!

[lexw]

6. The GOP just can't get anything on their side this year.

Let's hope we get more seats in the Senate and House, as well—and governorships.