NFL Referees Reportedly File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against League

The NFL Referees (NFLRA) has reportedly filed an unfair labor practice suit with the National Labor Relation Board against the NFL, according to Mike Freeman of CBS Sports.

This shocking news is just more evidence that the situation between the refs and the league has spiraled out of control.

There is a probability that the league will end up hiring replacement officials (according to ESPN), with USA Today reporting the NFL already reached out to some college referees earlier in the month.

It would be absolutely outrageous if fans were forced to suffer through subpar officiating from a group of refs used to calling the game with different rules.

With the NFL just getting a new CBA in place with their players after a lengthy lockout during the 2011 offseason, it would be a disservice to the faithful supporters to refuse to pay these referees and cheapen a product that pulls in an unfathomable amount of revenue.

The two sides need to get back to the bargaining table and hammer out an agreement that is fair for both sides. If the players and owners could eventually agree to terms on a CBA, there is no question that the league and NFL Referees Association can do the same.

Bringing in scabs would be a slap in the face to the refs who have shown loyalty to the league for so many years, not to mention the paying fans and even the hard-working players.

Keep it tuned right here on Bleacher Report for the latest breaking news, opinions, updates and analysis on the NFL referees labor suit against the league.