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Kevin Seifert
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Kevin Seifert
ESPN staff writer
- Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL for ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
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Kalin Kahler
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Kalin Kahler
ESPN
- Kalin Kahler is a senior NFL writer for ESPN. Calin reports on a variety of NFL topics. He reports on the influence of coaching agents in NFL recruiting and finds out what current and former Cowboys players really think about the tour groups of fans who roam The Star every day. Before joining ESPN in July 2024, Kalin wrote for The Athletic, Defector, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. He began his career at Sports Illustrated as an assistant to NFL columnist Peter King. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she was a varsity cheerleader. In her spare time, Cailin takes Spanish classes and teaches Irish dancing. You can contact Kalin via email.
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The NFL Referees Association approved a new 7-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL on Friday, ending years of negotiations and eliminating the possibility of a work stoppage before the 2026 season.
Full details of the deal were not immediately available, but the NFL tied the talks to several initiatives to improve performance and, according to sources, the league will have increased access to officials in the offseason for formal training programs during minicamps, training camps and joint practices. The NFL will also create a bench of officials and have greater latitude to use performance metrics for postseason assignments than seniority.
In a statement, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said: “This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating. It also speaks to the relentless pursuit of game officials and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together to improve the game.”
Officers will receive significant increases from their 2025 salaries. Earlier this spring, the NFL offered game fees of 10% across the board during the regular season and up to 30% for those who work the Super Bowl, according to sources at the time. The league had hoped to increase the probationary period for new officials from three years to four, but the agreement kept that period at three years.
The NFLRA’s current CBA is set to expire on May 31
“This was a mutual and determined effort, and the result is seven years of certainty for the league and officials,” NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green said in a statement. “We commend Troy Vincent and (chief negotiator) Larry Ferrazani and their staff that working together to find a solution is the best step toward reaching a long-term agreement.”
The two sides had been in talks for more than two years but reached an impasse late this winter. The NFL began recruiting potential replacement officials from the college ranks in early March, and owners approved a sweeping rule that allows league staff members to help officiate games from NFL headquarters in New York.
Those rules were contingent on the use of replacement officials, meaning they would not apply to the 2026 season.
“We see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also strives to make our game better,” added NFLRA President Carl Schafers. “It’s good to get these discussions behind us so we can concentrate on preparing for the 2026 season.”
