How Much Is An NFL Ref Worth? - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

How Much Is An NFL Ref Worth?

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USATODAY.COM - Now that the lockout is over, and officials have reached a labor deal with the NFL, a nagging question still remains: What is an NFL referee worth?

he 121 NFL Referees Association officials, many of whom have full-time jobs, earned an average of roughly $149,000 last season. Before the lockout, the league offered to boost that to $189,000 per official by 2018.

To the working stiff -- even the lunch-pail fans who love the NFL -- that's a lot of money for a second job that's mostly weekend work. Toss in the pension plan, which has become the sticking point in the negotiations, and most regular employees in the private sector simply can't relate.

But after the replacement officials' debacle, culminating in Monday night's infamous blown call in the Green Bay Packers-Seattle Seahawks game, economists say NFL officials -- specialists in their field -- are worth every penny of their salary and more. click here to read more