NFL wants to reduce referees pay, add 3 crews

Updated: August 16, 2012, 1:22 PM ET

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Full-time on-field officials and adding new crews are at the center of the dispute between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association.

The officials have been locked out by the league, and replacements are being used for exhibition games.

The NFLRA says Thursday that the NFL wants to add three crews totaling 21 officials without increasing "aggregate compensation." Instead, that would cause a reduction in pay.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the proposal would allow each official to work fewer games, reduce travel, and allow the league to do more intensive training.

As for full-time officials, the NFLRA says the league has not made salary offers, but it isn't opposed to full-time officials if they are fairly compensated. The league' says the proposal "also focuses on improving the quality of officiating long term."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press