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NFL Reportedly Suspends Full-Time Referee Program Amid Labor Negotiations

The future of the NFL's full-time referee program is under review.

According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, the league has suspended the program amid labor negotiations with the NFL Referees Association.

"Barring a turn in negotiations, the decision means the NFL will revert to its previous structure of using a full roster of officials whose employment status is part-time," Seifert wrote.

The NFL and NFLRA came to terms on an eight-year collective bargaining agreement in Sept. 2012 to end a lockout initiated by officials that June. During the referees' lockout, the league brought in replacement referees for the first three weeks of the season.