There will be no replacement officials in the NFL next season after all.
The league announced that it finalized an agreement with the NFL Referees Association on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement through 2032. A ratification vote was held Friday morning.
The previous CBA was set to expire May 31.
"This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating," NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement. "It also speaks to the game officials' relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game."
The NFL had reportedly offered the refs a six-year contract that included an average annual raise of 6.45%, short of the union's desired 10% rate. The officials apparently also wanted an additional $2.5 million for marketing fees.
The new deal covers a wide range of issues, including economics, performance, and accountability as it relates to officiating.
The two sides had been unsuccessfully negotiating a new CBA for months. The NFL even reportedly began training replacement officials in preparation for a potential lockout.
The agreement prevents what would have been the NFL's first referee lockout since 2012, when replacement officials received heavy criticism for questionable calls made through the season's first three weeks.
