With Goodell at table, NFL ref talks heat up

With Commissioner Roger Goodell at the table, the NFL and referees’ union pressed toward a settlement Wednesday to end a three-month lockout that triggered a wave of frustration and anger over replacement officials and threatened to disrupt the rest of the season.

Two days after a controversial call cost the Green Bay Packers a win, both sides were said to be nearing a deal and several reports put regular officials back at work perhaps as early as Sunday.

ESPN reported that “an agreement in principle is at hand.” The New York Times said the sides “were closing in” on a new agreement.

The NFL declined to confirm that a tentative contract was imminent.

The union wants improved salaries, retirement benefits and other logistical issues for the mostly part-time referees. The NFL has proposed a pension freeze and a higher 401(k) match.

“Until somebody tells me differently, it’s not really changed,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Talks resumed Wednesday morning and continued past 6 p.m. following a 14-hour meeting that started Tuesday. Goodell attended that session as well as four meetings last week.

“We want to go back to work but it has to be the right deal for 121 guys,” NFL field judge Boris Cheek said. “We have to be patient and let this work itself out.”

Some coaches, including Miami’s Joe Philbin and Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis, instructed players not to speak publicly on the issue, especially after a barrage of comments that accompanied Monday night’s Green Bay-Seattle game, which the Packers lost 14-12 on a missed call.