Quote:
Originally posted by ChuckElias
A lot has been made of the fact that NFL refs are part-time refs, unlike officials in the other major sports leagues. NFL officials work only one day a week, for a three-hour period, etc.
While I'm not going to argue that they work 40 hours per week, I think it's misleading to suggest that they're getting paid $670 per hour. Just think about your own HS game on Friday night. What does it last? An hour and 15 minutes? An hour and a half? But is that the only time you've invested? Obviously not.
You have to:
1) Drive up to 2 hours to the game site.
2) Arrive at the game site one to one-and-a-half hours before game time.
3) Spend that hour and a half in preparation.
4) Officiate for another hour and a half.
5) Shower, do a post game review, and dress.
6) Drive home.
NFL officials have to:
1) Fly up to 5 hours to the game site.
2) Arrive in the game city 24 hours before game time.
3) Spend those 24 hours in preparation; watching game film, reviewing position responsibilities, etc.
4) Get to the game site 2 hours or so prior to kickoff; inspect team equipment, do pre-game conference, meet with league officials and replay officials (who are not union members, I believe).
5) THEN officiate for 3 hours.
6) Shower, do a post game review with a league official, dress.
7) Drive to the airport for (up to) a 5 hour flight.
8) Drive home.
And that does not include mid-week conference calls or rules meetings or whatever else.
Now, this is still a part-time proposition, true. But let's not fool ourselves into thinking that it just fits into their weekend plans.
Having said all that, if I were an NFL official I'd take the league's deal. It seems more than fair to me. I just wanted to throw in my two cents.
Chuck
|
Most professionals do not get paid for their preparation time or training time. It is just the cost of doing their business. Same with us, we don't get paid to travel (Yes, i know some places pay mileage, but you kow what I mean), go to meetings, camps, etc. It is just a cost of what we do for the love of the game.
I think important part is we agree they should stop whinning and get back on the field where they belong.