We watched the Monday Night Football game - - Packers v Seahawks. We are, of course, Seattle Seahawks fans, so we were happy we won. What?, you say. You didn't win, the refs totally blew it! And, yes, I agree. The refs totally blew it. Seahawks still got a W. And, it gives the whole country something else to talk about besides politics for a week or so. Replacement refs. I feel kind of bad for them. They are in a tough situation.
But I learned something last night I didn't already know. The regular refs - - they work 20 games per year. They fly, free, first class to all their games. They make, average, $150,000 per year. Hmm . . . 4 hours a game, 20 games a year. Quick math - - $1,875/hr, or $7500/game. They want more pay and a 401k. They have full-time jobs which, I'm sure, have retirement plans. So, for their part-time work, for which they get paid handsomely, they want raises and retirement benefits. Hmmm. I'm trying not to have an opinion (I have too many opinions on politics), so I'm just sayin' - - -
Regular NFL referees - - a great gig if you can get it!
everything is relative---i think i heard correctly, this morning on the today show, natalie saying something about what the refs made in the way she thought it wasn't much---i would like that gig too :)
ReplyDeletei'm betting natalie makes a heck of a ton of money, so the $150,000 or so for 20 hours of work probably seems like pennies to her and a lot of others in her financial situation. Not mine, though :)
DeleteWhat makes the regular refs any better the fill ins? Yeah, the old guys have more experience, but given time the new guys will too. I've seen plenty of mistakes by the old guys, none as blatant as the other night, but mistakes none the less. If the old guys wait too long, then perhaps the new guys will get the great gig. I guess when you see how much money the teams make, then what the old guys are asking for may seem like their fair share. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteI heard that too - - the "regular" refs make their share of mistakes, too. If it's not one thing, it's another :)
DeleteI was thinking that the fill in refs had it pretty good...making a bunch more money than usual, and the ability to go back to their usual lives once this is over. However, I was dismayed when my husband told me that supposedly 3 of the refs were fired by the college pac for being very poor refs! They should not get the big payout! I will never comprehend the amounts of money in the conversation when it comes to sports!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Andrea. The amount of money paid to most professional sports people is obscene.
DeleteI agree. And also as a Seahawks fan I was glad it worked out in our favour and all but yeah, that was a bad call. As was the 'good' field goal call in the Patriots/Ravens game the night before which caused Bill Belichick to grab the arm of one of the officials in anger. You can bet he'll have a big fat fine slapped on him. They have got to settle this lockout. The replacements are guys who have only done high school and some college games.
ReplyDeleteI just read he was fined $50,000. If I were a replacement ref, I'd be traumatized :)
DeleteSeriously? 150,000 a year? I need that gig!
ReplyDeleteaverage, yes. and you and I both need that gig! I would love to work 20 weekends a year and make 3x what I make working 357 days a year! haha
DeleteI don't agree with how much the regular refs make but given what's at stake it is all relative. I heard that the game Monday caused $1.5mil lost in bets unnecessarily. At least even as a Seahawks fan you agree that it was a bogus call.
ReplyDeleteI heard today that the regular refs might be back by tomorrow or Sunday. If the new refs were staying longer, I think they could at least hire people with better criteria.
I read that one sports betting place in Las Vegas is giving refunds to some - this whole thing is kind of crazy
DeleteNo kidding. I did not know that. But hey, sign me up to be a ref too! And yes, I felt bad for the replacement refs as well...
ReplyDeleteIt could be fun - or maybe not :)
DeleteAs a Bear's fan (divisional rivals), I'm 100% with you. It's not like regular refs haven't blown big calls before, too. Sometimes you are the windshield, and sometimes you are the bug, right?
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it better, Marianne!
DeleteHoly smokes! Sign me up! I can make bad calls all day long!
ReplyDeleteme too I want the job!
ReplyDeleteso the 'real' refs are not part of the 99% .. but then neither are football players, team owners or anyone else with a finger it that pie
ReplyDeleteDaryl Daryl Daryl. What am I going to do with you?! Haha
DeleteI'm so unaware of football, I had no idea that the refs were subs! But it can't all be the replacement refs faults that the Packers lost...didn't we have like 8 sacks? So, go Hawks!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Michelle. This post and a Facebook status this morning (saying the regular refs would be back) is the first I heard of this at all. :)
Delete@Michelle - right on girl!!!
Delete@Mimi - yup, old news now - refs are back :). We'll have to find another dream job!