Deric
01-15-2003, 06:25 AM
http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clay...hn/1242879.html
Q: What was the latest offer by the NFL?
A: According to the league, a first-year official will make $2,133 a game. An official in his 20th-year will make $6,333 a game. A rookie NFL official would make $29,500 in his first season, $45,378 in his second and $57,670 in 2003. A ninth-year official, according the league, would make $64,215, $95,000 in 2002 and $128,400 in 2003. A 20-year official would make $82,390 this year, $120,998 next year and $139,555 in 2003.
Q: Why are the officials pushing for a huge increase?
A: The officials felt as though they might have signed too long of a contract the last time. They signed a seven-year deal that kept game salaries relatively flat. To keep up with the other leagues, they want big increases. They say they worry about inflation because replay officials make $2,000 a game. That's more than what 55 of the officials made last year. There are 119 officials involved. According to their figures, the officials estimate the total cost to teams for their demand would be $430,000 per team, less than the minimum salary of a veteran. That would translate into a rough total of $13 million a year to the league. The investment in replay officiating is around $10 million a year. Because they are part-time employees, the officials say that they don't have health insurance benefits and have to use workman's compensation in case of injuries. There is a pension and severance plan in the current deal. The officials also want a comprehensive 401K plan.
Q: What was the latest offer by the NFL?
A: According to the league, a first-year official will make $2,133 a game. An official in his 20th-year will make $6,333 a game. A rookie NFL official would make $29,500 in his first season, $45,378 in his second and $57,670 in 2003. A ninth-year official, according the league, would make $64,215, $95,000 in 2002 and $128,400 in 2003. A 20-year official would make $82,390 this year, $120,998 next year and $139,555 in 2003.
Q: Why are the officials pushing for a huge increase?
A: The officials felt as though they might have signed too long of a contract the last time. They signed a seven-year deal that kept game salaries relatively flat. To keep up with the other leagues, they want big increases. They say they worry about inflation because replay officials make $2,000 a game. That's more than what 55 of the officials made last year. There are 119 officials involved. According to their figures, the officials estimate the total cost to teams for their demand would be $430,000 per team, less than the minimum salary of a veteran. That would translate into a rough total of $13 million a year to the league. The investment in replay officiating is around $10 million a year. Because they are part-time employees, the officials say that they don't have health insurance benefits and have to use workman's compensation in case of injuries. There is a pension and severance plan in the current deal. The officials also want a comprehensive 401K plan.