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The league will create a new practice squad for officials and expand its coaching staff. The changes follow negotiations with the NFLRA and build on offseason training already underway.
focustaiwan.twThe NFL plans to form a practice squad of up to 12 game officials, @AdamSchefter reported, citing reporting by SeifertESPN and kalynkahler. The league and the NFLRA also agreed to remove the two-year eligibility requirement for postseason assignments.
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Officials with three or fewer credited seasons can now earn their way off probationary status by ranking in Tier 1 for one season or Tier 2 for two seasons.
Ramon George, the league's VP of officiating training and development, said the league will take the best official at each position group and give them the opportunity to officiate in the playoffs through the Super Bowl. The league will add eight more coach coordinators to the officiating staff over the next two years, doubling the current number from eight to sixteen, George said.
All 17 officiating crews worked OTAs this spring.
Previously, crews worked OTAs only if they had a rookie on the crew. The officiating department sent a memo directing officials to attend all team and position meetings, including film and video review sessions, even if that required returning to the club's facility.
The 2019 collective bargaining agreement required the NFLRA and the NFL to create a training and evaluation program for the 2020 season.
Sean Green said the program was never implemented during the seven-year life of that agreement. Green stated the NFLRA sent drafts and began discussions, but the NFL lacked staff to work on it while grading. He credited George with intending to move forward and said former VP of officiating training and development Walt Anderson did not show the same interest.
A league source said Ramon George has been working with the NFLRA on a new training and development program and has made good progress. In 2024, George assigned two third-year officials to the Super Bowl. Mike Pereira stated in February 2025 that he always felt it took five years for officials to reach the level for postseason assignments.
George stated that postseason assignments are not collectively bargained by years of experience and that the best officials should be on the field regardless of experience.
ESPNThe 17-year-old amateur surprised his father with a caddie swap on the 18th hole at Shinnecock Hills on Father's Day. Russell finished his first U.S. Open at 7 over par.
The 15-year-old scored 94 off 29 balls, including 10 fours and eight sixes, as India A reached 377 for 9 against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.
WWE is evaluating a possible event on the White House lawn following the UFC Freedom 250 card held there last weekend. The mixed-martial-arts show featured a main-event finish and post-fight remarks between two fighters.