NFL, Referees Near New Deal, Avoiding Lockout

The NFL and its officials are close to a new deal that sidesteps a work stoppage. After months of stalemate, the NFL Referees Association will hold a ratification vote this week, according to an AP source. The current CBA expires May 31, and the league has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual raise over six years, while the union seeks 10% plus $2.5 million in marketing fees. Negotiations have been compared to the 2012 lockout, but both sides aim to avoid a repeat. cricket-ipl.in