Mike Pereira 'Surprised' by Super Bowl Referee Selections amid Limited NFL Experience

Mike Pereira, a former veteran NFL official and the league's VP of officiating from 2004 to 2009, is surprised to see referees with less experience be selected for the biggest game of the season after rule changes before the 2024 season.

"That's a huge departure," Pereira said, per ESPN's Kalyn Kahler. "I always felt like it took five years to get to the level to where you'll feel comfortable going in front of thousands of people, and now you've got not only a third-year official, you've got a third-year umpire who worked [the NFC Championship Game] in Philadelphia. When I saw this, I was very surprised."

Just two officials on this year's officiating crew have past experience calling a Super Bowl.

Ron Torbert, who worked Super Bowl LVI, will be the referee for the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, while Boris Cheek, who has officiated four other Super Bowls, will be the side judge. All other members of this year's crew have never officiated a Super Bowl before.

Two officials on the crew have just three years of NFL experience. Officials previously needed at least five years of experience to be considered for the Super Bowl. Previous rules also prevented officials from calling both an AFC or NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl umpire Mike Morton called the NFC Championship game between the Eagles and Washington Commanders.