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Super Bowl referee returns: 49ers and Chiefs will have same official they had in Super Bowl LIV

This veteran ref will be officiating the nfl's biggest game for the third time.

The officiating assignments for Super Bowl LVIII have officially been handed out, and the NFL will be going with veteran Bill Vinovich to serve as referee. 

This will mark the third time Vinovich has been the referee for a Super Bowl. In a twist, Vinovich was also the referee the last time the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers played in the Super Bowl back in February 2020. Vinovich's crew did a solid job during the game, which the Chiefs won, 31-20. There were a total of nine penalties called in Super Bowl LIV, with five going against the 49ers (for 45 yards) and four going against the Chiefs (for 24 yards). 

The most controversial play of that game was an offensive pass interference against George Kittle that negated a 42-yard gain just before halftime. 

The receiver extends his arm and creates separation while the ball is in the air, therefore it is offensive pass interference. – AL #SBLIV pic.twitter.com/hxAvggDqhS — NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) February 3, 2020

You can read more about the officiating from the game here . 

The Chiefs-49ers game was Vinovich's second stint as a Super Bowl ref. His first one came in Super Bowl XLIX, when the Patriots beat the Seahawks , 28-24, in a game that wasn't sealed until Russell Wilson threw an interception at the goal line in the final 30 seconds. 

If you're wondering how the 49ers and Chiefs have fared with Vinovich, here's a look at their record with him over the past five years ( stats via Pro Football Reference ).

• 49ers:  2-4 (0-1 in 2023)
• Chiefs:  5-2 (0-0 in 2023)

This is the second time this season that Vinovich has seen the 49ers. The veteran official was the referee when San Francisco lost to Baltimore, 33-19, back on Christmas Day. As for the Chiefs, they didn't have Vinovich as a ref for a single game this year. 

Vinovich has already worked one postseason game this season, and that came in the divisional round when he served as the referee in the Lions ' 31-23 win over the Buccaneers .

The 63-year-old Vinovich just finished up his 18th season as an NFL official with 15 of those coming as a referee. Vinovich has actually been an official since 2001, but he had to take a few years off starting in 2007 after experiencing a serious heart condition . 

According to the NFL, the rest of Vinovich's crew for the game will be umpire Terry Killens, down judge Patrick Holt, field judge Tom Hill, line judge Mark Perlman, side judge Allen Baynes and back judge Brad Freeman. Mike Chase will serve as the replay official. 

This will be the fourth Super Bowl for Perlman and Hill, who also worked with Vinovich in Super Bowl XLIX. On the other hand, Killens, Holt, Baynes and Freeman will be officiating in the Super Bowl for the first time. 

Super Bowl LVIII will be kicking off from Allegiant in Las Vegas on Feb. 11 in a game that will be televised on CBS and streamed on  Paramount+ .

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Super Bowl 57 officiating crew: These are the officials for Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

One of the more underrated aspects that influence the way Super Bowls are played is the crew that is selected to officiate them.

The NFL announced that veteran Carl Cheffers and his crew will oversee play for Super Bowl 57 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

This will mark the third time in the past six Super Bowls – including two of the last three – that Cheffers, who is the vice president of the NFL Referees Association, will be the referee of the NFL's final game of the season. Cheffers, 62, came into the league as a side judge in 2000; he was promoted to referee in 2008.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 12 from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Here's everything you need to know about the officials for Super Bowl 57.

Who are the Super Bowl 57 officials?

Referee : Carl Cheffers

Umpire : Roy Ellison

Down Judge : Jerod Phillips

Line Judge : Jeff Bergman

Field Judge : John Jenkins

Side Judge : Eugene Hall

Back Judge : Dino Paganelli

Replay Official : Mark Butterworth

Which of the Super Bowl 57 officials have Super Bowl experience?

Five of the eight officials have Super Bowl experience: Cheffers (Super Bowl 55, 52); Ellison (53, 42); Bergman (53, 31); Hall (55, 53) and Paganelli (54, 47). Together, they have a combined decade of Super Bowl experience.

This will be Cheffers' second time officiating a Super Bowl in a game in which Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are playing. The first was Super Bowl 55, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers topped Kansas City, 31-9 .

How does the NFL choose officials for the playoffs?

The NFL determines postseason assignments based on a grading system used to evaluate officials' performance every week. The best-graded officials will then be assigned to work playoff games. Officials are on year-to-year contracts and for those who are not up to par, it could mean remediation, a demotion or being asked not to come back the next season. 

How frequently does Cheffers' crew throw flags?

Per NFLpenalties.com , Cheffers' crew worked 17 games this season (including a divisional round playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills) and threw 214 penalty flags (26 declined, four offsetting) which averages to be 12.6 flags thrown. That mark was most for all officiating crews during the 2022 season. In fact, Cheffers' crew also led the NFL last season in flags thrown per game, with 13.9.

Dig deeper on Super Bowl 57

• Greatest Super Bowl moments: The 57 greatest Super Bowl moments in NFL history
• Super Bowl's greatest players: These are the greatest players in Super Bowl history
• Which Super Bowl was *the* best?: Ranking the 56 Super Bowls from best to worst
• Greatest Super Bowl teams: The 57 greatest NFL teams to play in the Super Bowl – and not all won Lombardi Trophy
• Super Bowl stumbles: The 16 best NFL teams of all-time that didn't reach Super Sunday

NFL Referee Assignment for Super Bowl 58 & Impact on NFL Betting

We tend to only focus on NFL referees after a controversial decision or bad no-call. Yet each head NFL referee and his respective crew interprets the game differently.

Gaining insight into the way a game will be officiated can have immense value in the betting market.

A referee who calls more penalties for defensive holding and roughing the passer has a far different impact on game flow than a ref who focuses more on offensive holding and false starts.

Referee style one week may hide a team’s weakness (defensive backs), but a different official who leans heavily on calling pass interference will compound that weakness the next week.

Same team. Different outcomes.

Throughout this 2023 NFL season, we’ll help to identify important trends and tendencies by different NFL referees to help you gain an edge when placing a bet .

Sharp Football Analysis has every angle of Chiefs vs. 49ers covered in our Super Bowl 58 Hub .

NFL Referee Assignment for Super Bowl 58

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Bill Vinovich’s Impact on Chiefs vs. 49ers in Super Bowl 58

The Chiefs and 49ers meet in Super Bowl 58. The game will officiated by Bill Vinovich, his third Super Bowl as a head referee.

Bill Vnovich was in charge of proceedings in the Chiefs’ 31-20 victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl 54 to conclude the 2019 NFL season. This game marks the first time the same referee has officiated a Super Bowl rematch.

Vinovich is the epitome of a “let ‘em play” referee, especially in postseason games.

We have detailed the decline in offensive holding penalties throughout these playoffs versus regular season averages. Expect that to continue in Super Bowl 58.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa brought the issue to the media’s and hopefully the officiating crew’s attention in the lead-up to the big game.

The Chiefs have been the number one beneficiary of the reduction in offensive holding in the playoffs. It would be an ideal scenario for the 49ers to see more offensive holding calls in Super Bowl 58, but that is unlikely.

The all-star officiating crew is a topic of conversation when assessing the Super Bowl. How can we preview a game if the referee in charge doesn’t have the entirety of his regular season crew on the field?

It’s a valid point, and we did an in-depth look at this last week.

If there is one surefire playoff trend, regardless of the crew makeup and the head referee, it’s the emphasis on reducing overall penalties.

Look for the Vinovich-led crew in Super Bowl 58 to follow that script.

Now, let’s assess the strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the Super Bowl from a penalty perspective and how the officiating of the Bill Vinovich-led crew will potentially impact these games

Penalty Tendencies:

• Since Bill Vinovich’s first Super Bowl as a head referee between the Patriots and Seahawks in 2015, his games are averaging 9.5 penalties for 78.4 yards. Keep these numbers in mind for any penalty props that may be available for this Super Bowl
• The Chiefs overall offense and offensive line issues were well-documented throughout the 2023 season. The penalty issues for the Kansas City offense have seen a sharp decline in their playoff run
• The Chiefs averaged 5.3 penalties per game in the 2023 regular season, with 63% committed by their offense. That averages out to around 3.5 offensive penalties per game
• The Chiefs are averaging just 2.6 penalties per game on their current playoff run, with the offense responsible for 70% of penalties. That amounts to around 1.8 offensive penalties per game, a significant drop from the regular season average. Since the drop in offensive penalties is primarily via offensive holding, it’s a huge boon to a Kansas City offense that struggled at times in 2023
• The decline in offensive holding is standard operating procedure every season in the playoffs. The NFL wants an aesthetically pleasing product in highly viewed postseason games. It just so happens Kansas City is the biggest beneficiary of this in 2023
• The 49ers offense is responsible for just 46% of the team’s overall penalties in 2023, with their offensive line responsible for just 24% of the team’s overall penalties
• The 49ers were a below-average penalized team for offensive holding in 2023
• In their Super Bowl 54 matchup in 2020, there was one offensive holding penalty called by Vinovich’s crew. More notable in that game were the non-calls, particularly in situations involving the aforementioned Nick Bosa 
• The 49ers and Chiefs defensive units are the two least impactful at generating offensive holding penalties on the opposing offenses in 2023, ranking 31st and 32nd respectively. In their five combined playoff games in the 2023-24 playoffs, these defenses have generated one accepted offensive holding penalty and have had one additional call declined
• Vinovich ranks second for false start penalties per game
• The 49ers and Chiefs share a common trait in penalties surrendered via passing plays. Defensive pass interference makes up the bulk of penalties surrendered in this category, with 61% of the Chiefs’ infractions and 58% of the 49ers’
• The back judge in Super Bowl 58 is from the Land Clark crew. One of the more controversial no-calls in 2023 came in Chiefs at Vikings in Week 5. It was a late-game defensive pass interference by L’Jarius Sneed on Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison . The flag was thrown by the side judge but picked up after a discussion with the back judge and head referee Land Clark.
• The 49ers and Chiefs offenses are top five beneficiaries of defensive holding infractions
• The Vinovich-led crew has members from the Clark, Shawn Hochuli, and Tra Blake crews. All three were above average calling defensive holding.
• Vinovich is co-ranked number one for illegal use of hands penalties and second overall for illegal block in the back penalties in 2023. These are two categories the Chiefs are highly penalized in versus league average. These infractions are more likely to get called in Super Bowl 58 with the Vinovich and Hochuli crews heavily represented in this game
• No referee has called fewer roughing the passer penalties than Vinovich since the start of the 2018 NFL season, averaging one approximately every seventh game officiated. This is far fewer than other referees over that same stretch. Across the board, the average is one roughing the passer penalty approximately every 2.5 games officiated. Keep these roughing the passer numbers in mind for penalty-specific prop bets in Super Bowl 58
• In playoff games, Vinovich-led crews have called just one roughing the passer penalty in 14 contests officiated since the 2012 season. The inclusion of two Hochuli crew members is the only cause for concern about roughing the passer, as they led the NFL in this category. However, at the end of the day, Vinovich runs this outfit and his numbers override everything else.
• Conversely, Vinovich-led crews in those 14 playoff games have called 13 unnecessary roughness penalties
• Pre-snap penalties are to be avoided at all costs. The Chiefs were one of the best in the NFL this season, ranking 30th overall. It’s worth noting, four of the five teams with the fewest pre-snap penalties in 2023 made the playoffs

Bottom Line:

• Vinovich-led crews are 60-39-2 (60%) to the under since the start of the 2018 NFL season, including 10-7 (60%) to the under in 2023
• In playoff games dating back to 2012, Vinovich is 9-8 to the under. The Chiefs’ 31-20 victory in Super Bowl 54 stayed under the closing total of 52.5 points. We are dealing with a far lower number in this contest
• A little-mentioned factor in the lead-up to this game is the new grass field surface at Allegiant Stadium. Last year’s surface in Arizona was a debacle, and it favored the offenses. From an in-game wagering perspective, the focus on offensive holding, or the probable lack thereof, is issue No. 1. The second piece to the puzzle is field conditions. Those two factors alone will impact the total as much as anything else

If the 49ers bring their “A” game, they can win Super Bowl 58. At their best, San Francisco looked near unbeatable in the 2023 season.

However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen that form, and frankly, they were fortunate to win their first two playoff games.

We thought the Ravens would be a tough out in the AFC Championship, but the moment proved to be too big for them.

The positive for the 49ers is that they have a loaded roster with high-IQ players who shouldn’t make the same discipline-related errors that contributed to the Ravens’ downfall. The team needs to play its best game from the get-go in Super Bowl 58.

Conversely, the Chiefs’ fast starts have had them largely control games during their playoff run. Its coaching staff and its core group of players provide them with an edge in this matchup. This is especially true at the quarterback position.

The bottom line is they won’t beat themselves, making the Kansas City Chiefs the play in this game and the winner of Super Bowl 58.

Bet 49ers vs. Chiefs Now!

Super Bowl 58 Referee Crew & Penalty Trend

Heading into the 2023 NFL playoffs, the three referees most likely to officiate the Super Bowl were Bill Vinovich, John Hussey, and Shawn Hochuli. It’s no surprise five of the seven Super Bowl officials are members are from these crews.

Two members apiece are from the Bill Vinovich and Shawn Hochuli crews.

The remaining three officials are from the John Hussey, Tra Blake, and Land Clark officiating crews.

These five crews represent 30% of all officiating crews in the NFL, which is a key number when detailing the following penalty categories.

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Super Bowl 2021 referee, officials: Who is assigned to Chiefs vs. Buccaneers?

History will be made during Super Bowl 55 no matter what happens between the Buccaneers and Chiefs.

Sarah Thomas, in her sixth year as an NFL official, will become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. She's part of a seven-person crew of on-field officials that will be led by Carl Cheffers.

Cheffers is in his 21st year officiating in the NFL, and he's already worked one Super Bowl (Super Bowl 51 in 2017, when the Patriots and Tom Brady came back from down 28-3). He's joined by four others on the crew who have already worked one Super Bowl. Thomas, James Coleman and replay official Mike Wimmer will be working in their first Super Bowl.

Referees have come under heavy scrutiny during the 2021 playoffs for controversial call/no-calls on pass interference and hits to the head. The NFL will certainly be hoping that no one is talking about the officials beyond Thomas' history-making come Super Bowl Sunday — if no one is talking about the folks in stripes, that's a good thing for the league.

The other major officiating narrative for the 2020 season was the alteration on how holding is called. Holding penalties were greatly reduced this season as officials let more things go, but that would just create even more anger if the officials in the Super Bowl get holding-happy.

Below, you'll find more about the officiating crew assigned to the final game of the NFL season along with what each of their roles will be on the field.

MORE: How much do Super Bowl referees get paid?

Super Bowl 2021 referee, officials

Below are the officials the NFL assigned to Super Bowl 55 between the Chiefs and Buccaneers, including their NFL experience and the Super Bowls on their resume.

The first seven officials listed will be on the field during Super Bowl 55. Wimmer will be in the replay booth, which has been his role in all but two games of his NFL officiating career. Wimmer, Coleman and Thomas have never officiated in a Super Bowl, while five of the on-field officials have been in one prior Super Bowl.

The NFL chooses its Super Bowl officials based on a combination of experience along with performance throughout the season. According to Football Zebras, in order to be considered for the Super Bowl, a referee " must have at least five years of seniority, worked three years at the referee position and worked a playoff game as a referee in the previous postseason." All other officials must have at least five years of experience with a conference championship game (or on-field assignments in three of the last five postseasons) on his or her resume.

“Their body of work over the course of a 17-game season has earned them the honor of officiating the biggest game on the world’s biggest stage,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, Sr., in a release . “They are the best of the best.”

Who is Sarah Thomas?

Thomas becomes the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl. She spent her first two seasons (2015-2016) as a line judge before working as a down judge for the past four years. 

A rise through the officiating ranks led Thomas to the NFL. She began working youth and high school football games in her home state of Mississippi after graduating from the University of Mobile. Then she was hired by Conference USA in 2007 and worked in the collegiate ranks before making the jump to the NFL in 2015.

Shortly after Thomas entered the NFL, Gerry Austin (who hired her for Conference USA) praised Thomas' application of the rules and communication skills.

"Coaches have confidence in Sarah's ability to officiate in our conference," Austin told ESPN, "and I think that's what's helped her and carried her over to where she's in the NFL."

Thomas told CBS News in 2019 that it's always been about the work for her.

"I've always said that if you do something because you love it and not try to prove somebody wrong or get recognition for it, the recognition probably just is going to happen," Thomas said .

Now, Thomas' work has led her to an officiating role in the biggest football game of all.

“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official,” Vincent said. “Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.”

MORE:  Meet Sarah Thomas, the only woman official in the NFL in 2020

NFL officials assignments, responsibilities

Each of the on-field officials during an NFL game have different responsibilities. That includes looking at different parts of each play both pre- and post-snap to watch for specific penalties and other actions of the game.

Below are the responsibilities of each on-field official, via NFL Operations .

Lining up 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensive backfield, the referee is the white-hat wearing leader of the crew who signals all penalties and is the final authority on all rulings. Below are the referee's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Run plays : Watches nap; follows QB until action moves downfield; then follows runner to determine forward progress and position of the ball; determines first downs or if a measurement is necessary.
• Pass plays : Shadows QB from drop to release; drops back as the play starts and monitors offensive tackles; turns attention solely to QB as defense approaches; watches for roughing the passer; rules on intentional grounding; makes the decision whether a loose ball is a fumble or incomplete pass.
• Special teams : Watches for running into/roughing the kicker.

Lining up next to the referee 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensive backfield, the umpire primarily watches for holding and blocking fouls. He or she also reviews player equipment, counts offensive players on the field and marks off penalty yardage. Below are the umpire's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special teams-plays.

• Run plays : Watches for false starts on offensive line; watches for illegal blocks by the offense or any defensive fouls at the line of scrimmage.
• Pass plays : Watches for false stars on offensive line; on screens, turns attention to intended receiver to make sure he is able to run his route; watches for blocking penalties.
• Special teams : Watches for any penalties.

Lining up on the sideline and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the down judge directs the chain crew, informs the ref of the down and rules on sideline plays on the nearest half of the field. Below are the down judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Run plays : Watches for offside or encroachment; monitors sideline; determines when/if a runner is out of bounds; marks runner's forward progress.
• Pass plays : Watches nearest receiver for first seven yards of his route until he is clear the point of legal contact for defensive backs; watches for pass interference.
• Special teams : Watches for offside and encroachment; rules on penalties involving blockers and defenders on trick plays.

Lining up on the sideline opposite the down judge and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the line judge has similar duties without the chain crew direction. Below are the line judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Run plays : Watches for offside and encroachment; watches blockers and defenders on nearest side for penalties.
• Pass plays : Watches for offside and encroachment on nearest side of field; follows nearest receiver for seven yards downfield; moves into offensive backfield to determine if pass is forwards or backwards; makes sure passer is behind the line of scrimmage when he throws the ball.
• Special teams : Stays at line of scrimmage on punts to make sure only players on the ends of the line move downfield before the kick; rules on whether the kick crosses the line of scrimmage; watches kicking team for penalties.

Field judge

Lining up on the same sideline as the line judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the field judge counts defensive players and watches wide receivers/defensive backs on the nearest side of the field. Below are the field judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Run plays : Watches widest receiver's blocking and looks for illegal use of hands or holding; determines if/when a runner on nearest side of the field goes out of bounds.
• Pass plays : Watches widest receiver on nearest side of the field and makes sure he is able to run his route without interference; rules on whether a pass to nearest side of the field is incomplete; rules on whether a receiver is in or out of bounds when he makes a catch; watches for pass interference.
• Special teams : Rules on blocking during punts; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.

Lining up on the same sideline as the down judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the side judge backs up the clock operator, signals to the ref when time expires for each quarter and counts defensive players. Below are the side judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Special teams : Watches punt returner and any action around him; joins umpire in defensive backfield on field goal and PAT attempts; watches for penalties along the line of scrimmage.

Usually lining up on the tight end's side, the back judge is positioned 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield. The back judge keeps track of the play clock and all TV breaks, counts defensive players and focuses on tight ends and all the players on the end of the lines. Below are the back judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

• Run plays : Watches tight end for illegal blocking or defensive penalties.
• Pass plays : Watches tight end for illegal use of hands or defensive interference; rules on whether a receiver made a legal catch; determines who recovered a fumble.
• Special teams : Rules on fair catches; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.

Kansas lawmakers approve plan to lure Kansas City's NFL team by helping finance stadium

Major league baseball's kansas city royals would also move in proposed plan.

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Kansas legislators approved a bipartisan plan Tuesday aimed at luring the NFL team away from Missouri by helping to finance a new stadium for the Super Bowl champions.

The bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and sent to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would allow Kansas to issue bonds to cover up to 70% of the costs of a new stadium in the state for the NFL team and another for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals. The plan also encourages the teams to move their practice facilities to the Kansas side of the metropolitan area, which is split by the two states' border.

Kansas would pay off its bonds over 30 years with revenues from sports betting, Kansas Lottery ticket sales and new sales and alcohol taxes collected from shopping and entertainment districts around the sites for the new stadiums.

Korb Maxell, an attorney for the NFL team who lives on the Kansas side of the border, said the state's lawmakers were "embracing the possibility of the [NFL team] and the Royals" and can now make a "very compelling offer" to the NFL team.

"We're excited about what happened here today," he said after the bill cleared the Legislature. "This is incredibly real."

The votes were 84-38 in the House and 27-8 in the Senate. Kelly stopped short of saying she'll sign the stadium-financing bill, but in a statement, she praised the effort behind it.

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Kansas legislators see the two teams as in play because in April, voters on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area refused to extend a sales tax used to keep up the teams' existing stadiums, which sit side by side.

A spokeswoman for Missouri Gov. Mike Parson did not immediately return an email message seeking comment. But in Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas promised to "lay out a good offer" to keep both teams from moving to Kansas.

In Kansas, top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature had promised that the stadium proposal wouldn't be debated until the Legislature approved a plan that would cut income and property taxes by a total of $1.23 billion US over the next three years. Many lawmakers argued that voters would be angry if the state helped finance new stadiums without cutting taxes.

"We definitely need to demonstrate that we're getting relief to our citizens," said Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican who backed the stadium-financing plan.

Kelly called a special session to have lawmakers consider reducing taxes after she vetoed three tax-cutting plans before legislators adjourned their regular annual session May 1. Once legislators convened the special session, Kelly couldn't control what they considered, and that created an opening to consider the stadium-financing plan.

The first version of the plan emerged in late April, but lawmakers didn't vote on it before adjourning. It would have allowed state bonds to finance all stadium construction costs, but supporters later opted for the 70% cap to pick up votes, and the plan also would require legislative leaders and the governor to sign off on any bonding.

'No blank checks'

House Commerce Committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican, said the NFL team is likely to spend between $500 million and $700 million in private funds on a new stadium.

"There are no blank checks," Tarwater told GOP colleagues during a briefing on the plan before the House began debating it.

A new nonprofit group, Scoop and Score, formed last month to push for bringing the NFL team to Kansas, and that group and the Royals together hired more than 30 lobbyists for the special session. But the national free-market, small-government group Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Policy Institute, a free-market think tank, oppose the measure, and both have been influential with conservative Republicans.

Free-market conservatives have long opposed state and local subsidies for specific businesses or projects. And economists who've studied pro sports teams have concluded in dozens of studies over decades that subsidizing their stadiums isn't worth the cost.

"Most of the money that gets spent on the NFL team is money that would otherwise be spent on other entertainment projects," said Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College in central Massachusetts who has written multiple books about sports.

Missouri officials have said they'll do whatever it takes to keep the teams but haven't outlined any proposals.

"The story now is that today was largely in my opinion about leverage," Lucas said. "And the teams are in an exceptional leverage position."

'There is an urgency to this'

The two teams' lease on their stadium complex runs through January 2031, but Maxwell said renovations on the team's Arrowhead Stadium should be planned seven or eight years in advance.

"There is an urgency to this," added David Frantz, the Royals' general counsel.

Supporters of the stadium plan argued that economists' past research doesn't apply to the NFL team and the Royals. They said the bonds will be paid off with tax revenues that aren't being generated now and would never be without the stadiums or the development around them. Masterson said it's wrong to call the bonds a subsidy.

And Maxwell said: "For a town to be major league, they need major league teams."

But economists who've studied pro sports said similar arguments have been a staple of past debates over paying for new stadiums. Development around a new stadium lessens development elsewhere, where the tax dollars generated would go to fund services or schools, they said.

"It could still help Kansas and maybe hurt Missouri by the same amount," Zimbalist said. "It's a zero-sum game."

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Chiefs receive Super Bowl rings, featuring diagram of game-winning OT play vs. 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs unveiled their Super Bowl rings Thursday with a design fit for back-to-back champions.

The front of the ring features the Chiefs’ iconic arrowhead logo and nods to multiple moments of the 2023 season leading up to their Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers . The four Vince Lombardi Trophies atop the ring include 19 baguette diamonds, an homage to the Chiefs becoming the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back championships.

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The four trophies are also surrounded by 58 diamonds, a tribute to Super Bowl LVIII.

Similar to last year, the ring’s top opens to reveal one of its most unique details. The reverse side of the ring top shows the diagram of “Tom & Jerry,” the Chiefs’ last play call from Super Bowl LVIII. The play — which resulted in quarterback Patrick Mahomes completing an easy 3-yard, walk-off touchdown to receiver Mecole Hardman , who was wide open in the corner of the end zone — was drawn on the ring using coach Andy Reid’s handwriting.

529 diamonds. 38 rubies. One back-to-back champion. pic.twitter.com/cLkX96R6Vh — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 14, 2024

The inside of the ring top shows a red and silver football field set with Lombardi Trophies, ranging from one to four trophies depending on the player’s time with the Chiefs.

The interior of the ring also features the Chiefs logo above their 2023 team motto — UNITED — and the final score of their four postseason victories over the Miami Dolphins , the Buffalo Bills , the Baltimore Ravens and the 49ers . Aaron Schatz, the chief analytics officer of FTN Network and inventor of DVOA, said the Chiefs faced the hardest postseason road to a championship ever, based on the regular-season DVOA of their four opponents. Below the scores of the Chiefs’ postseason run is the autograph signature for each player.

The right side of the ring displays the words “BACK-TO-BACK” in yellow gold highlighting commemorating the Chiefs’ 2022 and 2023 Super Bowl victories. The ring’s left side features each player’s name in yellow gold and their jersey number in white gold with diamonds.

Jostens, the company that designed the rings, used 505 round diamonds, 38 custom-cut rubies and 14.8 total carats.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt teased details of the hardware before the ring ceremony began, saying it celebrates their overtime victory to beat the 49ers.

“Like last year’s ring, it’s got some really neat surprises and I can’t wait to see the expression on the players’ faces when they open the box,” Hunt said. “There’s some special things related to the challenges of the season and also the success of the team in the Super Bowl, specifically in overtime.”

The Chiefs celebrated their ring ceremony at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Players and guests walked the red carpet outside the museum, and a small orchestra played a rendition of “Shake it Off,” the hit song from pop superstar Taylor Swift, who began dating tight end Travis Kelce early last season.

Inside the ceremony, players found a large red ring box at their seats and waited for a passcode to open their box. A giant “777” passcode flashed across a screen in honor of the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

The back-to-back champs have been crowned 💍 pic.twitter.com/k2TTP2YOJs — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 14, 2024

“It’s bigger, better, brighter,” said team president Mark Donovan, who saw the rings before the players did Thursday night. “It’s really cool, and it’s very creative.”

Among the ceremony’s attendees, defensive end BJ Thompson rejoined his teammates Thursday night. Last week, Thompson had a seizure in a special-teams meeting and went into cardiac arrest. He was released from the hospital four days later .

Required reading

• The stuff of dynasties: This Chiefs championship built on defense and perseverance
• Patrick Mahomes does it again: Super Bowl MVP leads Chiefs to thrilling OT win
• How the Chiefs stack up among NFL dynasties (and a path past the Patriots)

(Photo courtesy of Jostens)

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Chiefs receive Super Bowl rings, set sights on three-peat

• Covered Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas City Star
• Joined ESPN in 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On his way to collect his third Super Bowl championship ring, Patrick Mahomes already was thinking about winning another one.

"The first thing I think of is how great last season was and the adversity we dealt with," Mahomes said Thursday night before the Kansas City Chiefs distributed Super Bowl LVIII championship rings to players, coaches and front-office employees at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. "Then I'm going to think about how I can get another one for the pinkie finger. It's going to take a lot of hard work [to win three straight titles]. It's never been done before for a good reason. It takes a special group of guys, and I think we've got that group."

The Chiefs made more than 400 rings to distribute for this championship, their second straight and third in the past five years. Each one contains 529 diamonds, 38 rubies and 14.8 carats worth of gems, according to the rings' maker, Jostens.

This is what greatness looks like 💍 pic.twitter.com/tZyiTjcAby — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 14, 2024

Among the features: a display celebrating "Tom & Jerry," the Chiefs' name for the play on which they scored the touchdown in overtime that allowed them to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22. The play, on which Mahomes threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Mecole Hardman , is diagrammed on the ring in coach Andy Reid's writing.

But as with Mahomes, much of the night's focus was on winning a third straight championship, something no team has been able to accomplish in the Super Bowl era.

"It's an incredible challenge," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. "It's never been done in the National Football League, which tells you all you need to know about it. It's hard to go back-to-back, and from what I've seen, they're really eager to get started on this campaign. They believe they have a good shot at it. Obviously, you've got to have a lot of things go your way.

"If we can accomplish it, it will be something that will solidify this time period of Chiefs football."

The Chiefs have had other celebrations of last season's title, including their championship parade days after winning Super Bowl LVIII and the White House visit with President Joe Biden two weeks ago. To the Chiefs, the ring ceremony ended their 2023 season.

"Tonight's the night," general manager Brett Veach said. "Tonight is one of those special nights we get to sit back and watch the highlights and enjoy each other's company and reflect on what we accomplished."

• SI SWIMSUIT
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• DEPTH CHART

The Dolphins and the 2024-25 NFL Calendar

Alain poupart | 6 hours ago.

• Miami Dolphins

The NFL has unveiled its calendar for 2024-25, so here's the rundown with a particular focus on the Miami Dolphins:

June 18 — Clubs may begin signing UFL players provided they have received written permission from the player’s UFL club, and the player has been listed as a termination on the UFL Personnel Notice. ... NFL clubs are permitted to request tryouts of UFL players beginning the day following a player’s last game (including playoffs) of the season.

Mid-Late June — Rookie Readiness Program to be held at individual clubs.

July 15 — At 4 p.m. ET, deadline for any Club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his Prior Club for the 2024 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the Club’s last regular season game. This does not apply to the Dolphins, who didn't use the franchise tag this offseason.

Beginning on July 15, or on the first day any club begins its training camp, whichever is earlier, and concluding at 4 p.m. ET on the day of the roster reduction to 53 players, players in the Reserve List categories of Drafted; Unsigned, Exclusive Rights, First Refusal Rights, Unrestricted Free Agents with an individually negotiated Right of First Refusal, Franchise, and Transition will not count against the overall 90-player limit.

July 16 — Dolphins rookies reporting date.

Juiy 22 — At 4 p.m. ET Signing Period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, Prior Club has exclusive negotiating rights. ... At 4 p.m. ET on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp [July 17 in 2024], whichever is later) signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “UFA Tender” was made by Prior Club. After this date and until 4 p.m. ET on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, Prior Club has exclusive negotiating rights.

AUGUST 2024

August 1-4 — Hall of Fame Weekend (Canton, Ohio)

August 6 — If a Drafted Rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2024 and may sign a Player Contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2025 League Year. This does not apply to the Dolphins, who already have signed all of their draft picks.

August 6-7 —  Miami Dolphins joint practice with Atlanta Falcons, Baptist Health Training Complex

August 8-11 — First Preseason Weekend

August 9 — Preseason game, Atlanta Falcons at Miami, 7 p.m.

August 10-13 — Each Club has until five days prior to its second preseason game to provide any tendered, but unsigned Exclusive Rights Player or Restricted Free Agent with written notice of the club’s intent to place the player on the Exempt List if the player fails to report at least the day before the club’s second preseason game. Such notice must also be sent to the NFLPA. Once such notice has been provided, the club must place the player on the Exempt List. While on the Exempt List, the player will not be entitled to compensation for up to three regular-season games, depending upon the date the player reports to the club. Any such player who fails to report prior to the deadline will be ineligible to play or receive compensation for at least three games (preseason or regular season) from the time that he reports.

August 15-18 — Second Preseason Weekend

August 15 — Miami Dolphins joint practice with Washington Commanders, Baptist Health Training Complex

August 17 — Preseason game, Washington Commanders at Miami, 7 p.m.

August 21 — Miami Dolphins joint practice with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa

August 22-25 — Third Preseason Weekend

August 23 — Preseason game, Miami at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m.

August 27 — Prior to 4 ET, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List. ... Simultaneously with the roster reduction to 53 players, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; terminate or request waivers with the designation of Failed Physical or Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List. Clubs are permitted to designate for return a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List during the business day of the final roster reduction. Any such player will immediately count against the club’s number of designations, even if the player does not subsequently return to practice. ... Players who are on the Reserve List or Exempt List and are not counting against the 90-player limit will begin to count against the 90-player limit.

August 28 — Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at noon ET. ... Upon receipt of the subsequent Personnel Notice, clubs may establish a Practice Squad of 17 players, as long as one player qualifies as an International Player. No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a Practice Player Contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL Player Contract has been terminated via the waiver system. ... Beginning at 4 p.m. ET, any player placed on Reserve/Injured, Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, or Practice Squad; Injured during the regular season or postseason, may be designated for return later in the season, subject to the applicable procedures.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Sept. 1 — Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs, as defined in CBA Article 23, Section 10.

September 2-7 — In accordance with the Personnel (Injury) Report Policy, each club is required to file a Practice Report with the NFL Communications department by 4 p.m. ET (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a regular season Monday game; Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday for a Wednesday game; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for a Thursday game; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a Friday game; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a Saturday game; and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for a Sunday game. ... Each club must also file a weekly regular season Game Status Report with the NFL Communications department by 4 p.m. ET (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) on Saturday for a Monday game; Tuesday for a Wednesday game; Wednesday for a Thursday game, Thursday for a Friday game, Thursday for a Saturday game, and Friday for a Sunday game. An update must be reported if there is any change in a player's condition after the initial Game Status Report is filed.

September 4, at 4 ET, deadline for all NFL Player Contracts, Practice Player Contracts, tender offers, and miscellaneous amounts to fit within each Club’s 2024 Salary Cap, in anticipation of the midnight expiration of the Top 51 Rule.

September 5 — At 12 a.m. ET, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL Clubs.

September 5, 6, 8-9 — First Week of Regular Season Games

September 6, 7, 10 — Beginning on these dates, any player with at least four previous pension-credited seasons who is released from his Club’s Active List or Inactive List (or from his Club’s Reserve/Injured List if placement occurred after the club’s first regular season game) is entitled to claim Termination Pay after the end of the regular season, subject to the terms and conditions of CBA Article 30.

September 8 — Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami, 1 p.m.

Thursday, September 12 — Buffalo Bills at Miami, 8:15 p.m.

September 22 — Miami at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.

September 27 — Beginning on the day after a club’s fourth regular season game (including any bye week), it is permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness (if the player failed his preseason physical due to a non-football injury or illness) for a period not to exceed 21 days. Players may be activated during the 21-day practice period, or prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period.

Monday, September 30 — Tennessee Titans at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 2024

October 6 — Miami at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.

October 13 — Miami Dolphins bye week

October 15 — Deadline for any player claiming the 2024 Injury Protection benefit to file a grievance.

October 15-16 — Fall League Meeting (The Whitley, Atlanta, Georgia)

October 20 — Miami at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.

October 27 — Arizona Cardinals at Miami, 1 p.m.

NOVEMBER 2024

November 3 — Miami at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.

November 4 — Any increase in a player’s 2024 Salary from a renegotiation or extension that is received by the Management Council after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on this day, will be treated as Signing Bonus, and prorated over the entire term of the Player Contract, including 2024.

November 5 — All trading ends for 2024 at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

November 6 — Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.

Monday, November 11 — Miami at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.

November 12 — At 4 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive Offer Sheets. ... Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for Clubs to sign their unsigned Franchise and Transition Players, including Franchise Players who were eligible to receive Offer Sheets until this date. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2024. ... Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for Clubs to sign their Unrestricted Free Agents to whom the “UFA Tender” was made. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2024. ... Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for Clubs to sign their Restricted Free Agents, including those to whom the “June 1 Tender” was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2024.

November 17 — Las Vegas Raiders at Miami, 1 p.m.

November 18 — Clubs are permitted to begin to try out and negotiate an NFL Player Contract with CFL Players for the 2025 season until Tuesday, February 11, 2025. These players may not sign an NFL Player Contract or NFL Practice Player Contract for the 2024 regular season or postseason.

November 24 — New England Patriots at Miami, 1 p.m.

November 27-28 — Deadline at 4 p.m. ET, on the last business day prior to a club’s Week 13 game for reinstatement of players in Reserve List categories of Retired, Did Not Report, and Exclusive Rights, and of players who were placed on Reserve/Left Squad in a previous season.

Thursday, November 28 — Miami at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.

DECEMBER 2024

December 8 — New York Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.

December 10 — NFLMC Labor Seminar (Ritz-Carlton-Las Colinas, Irving, Texas)

December 10-11 — Special League Meeting/Front Office Accelerator (Ritz-Carlton-Las Colinas, Irving, Texas)

December 15 — Miami at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.

December 15 — Deadline for all Clubs to submit their individual lists of players who received, or filed a grievance for, the Basic or Extended Injury Protection Benefit for the 2024 season.

December 22 — San Francisco 49ers at Miami, 4:25 p.m.

December 29 — Miami at Cleveland Browns, 8:20 p.m.

JANUARY 2025

January 4-5 — Miami at New York Jets, TBD

January 6 — During the period beginning the Monday following the final regular season weekend through the conclusion of the final postseason game, assignments of player contracts will be deferred until the first business day after the Super Bowl. Terminations of player contracts will occur at the expiration of the claiming period. ... A club that is participating in the playoffs may sign players whose contracts have been terminated to its Active/Inactive List, Practice Squad (if applicable), or Reserve/Future List. A club whose playing season has concluded may sign such players to its Reserve/Future List only. ... Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2025 season, including players from the CFL. ... Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the Rookie Contract of a Drafted Rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 College Draft or any Undrafted Rookie who signed in 2023. Any permissible renegotiated or extended Player Contract will not be considered a Rookie Contract and will not be subject to the rules that limit Rookie Contracts. Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft. ... Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must provide the Management Council with written notice, signed by the individual club’s owner, indicating the amount, if any, of the club’s 2024 League Year Salary Cap Room to be credited to the club’s 2025 Team Salary.

January 8 — Beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the Wednesday following the final regular season weekend, rosters are frozen for clubs participating in the postseason with limited exceptions.

January 11-13 — Wild Card Games

Mid-January (Tentative) — Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility.

January 18-19 — Divisional Playoff Games

January 20 — NCAA National Championship Game (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia)

January 26 — AFC & NFC Championship Games

January 30 — East-West Shrine Bowl (TBD)

January 31 — Deadline for any player claiming the Extended Injury Protection Benefit for the 2025 season based on a 2023 injury or 2024 club authorized offseason surgery to notify his former Club in writing.

February 2025

February 1 — Deadline for non-playoff clubs to submit their individual lists of Physician-Certified 2024 Basic Injury Protection Benefit Candidates to the Management Council. ... Senior Bowl (Hancock-Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama)

February 2 — Pro Bowl (TBD)

February 9 — Super Bowl LIX (Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana)

February 10 — Waiver system begins for 2025. With certain exceptions, a 24-hour claiming period will be in effect through the entire year; however, waiver requests made on Friday and Saturday of each week will expire at 4 p.m., ET on the following Monday. Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons whom a club desires to terminate are not subject to the waiver system until the day after the trading deadline. ... Beginning the first business day after the Super Bowl through the opening of the first training camp for Rookies in 2025, clubs must report all tryouts and visits to the League office; however, such transactions will not be reported to other clubs.

February 11 — Deadline for clubs to execute a 2025 NFL Player Contract with CFL players who are under contract for the 2025 season. Beginning at 12:01 p.m., NFL clubs are prohibited from seeking permission to try out, negotiate, and/or sign a CFL player who is under contract for the 2025 season. Beginning at 12:01 p.m., CFL players whose contracts are set to expire after the 2024 CFL season become free agents. NFL clubs may try out, negotiate with, and/or sign these players without requesting permission.

February 15 — Deadline for playoff clubs to submit their individual lists of Physician-Certified 2024 Basic Injury Protection Benefit Candidates to the Management Council.

February 18 — Beginning this date through at 4 p.m. ET on March 4, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.

February 24 – March 3 — NFL Scouting Combine (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana) March

March 4 — Prior to 4 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. ... College Pro Days Begin. Workouts of a school’s Pro Day-eligible players during the days leading up to Pro Day activities are prohibited. Private dinners, meetings, interviews are permitted.

March 4 – April 16 — Draft-Eligible Facility Visits Begin. Clubs are permitted 30 non-local players for physical exams/visits; no on-field workouts.

March 4 – April 23 — Video or telephone interviews with draft-eligible players begin. Clubs are permitted three video or telephone interviews per player, no longer than one hour in length.

March 6 — Deadline for clubs whose final game of the 2024 regular season is Sunday, January 5 (60 days after final regular season game) to conduct physical examinations pursuant to CBA Article 45, Section 7(a) for players claiming the Extended Injury Protection Benefit for the 2025 season.

March 10-12 — Negotiation Period. During the period beginning at 12 p.m. ET March 10 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2024 Player Contracts at 4 p.m., ET on March 12. During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the Head Coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an Unrepresented Player. No prospective Unrestricted Free Agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4 p.m. ET on March 12.

March 12 — End/Start of League Year. Deadline at 3:59:59 p.m., New York Time, for clubs to exercise individually negotiated options for 2025 on all players who have option clauses in their 2024 contracts, subject to any earlier deadline specified in a player’s contract. ... Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation. ... Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2024 contracts who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit. ... Top 51 Rule is in effect. All clubs must be under the 2025 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time. All 2024 NFL player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time. .... The 2025 League Year and Free Agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time. ... The first day of the 2025 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12. ... Trading period for 2025. Trading begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2024 contracts. ... Commencing at 4:00 p.m., New York time, Clubs may designate up to two Player Contracts that, if terminated on or prior to June 1, 2025, and if not renegotiated after January 5, 2025, shall be treated as if terminated on June 2, subject to the further requirements of CBA Article 13, Section 6(b)(ii)(1).

March 20 — Deadline for all Clubs to submit their individual lists of Physician-Certified Candidates for the 2025 Extended Injury Protection Benefit.

March 30-April 2 — Annual League Meeting (The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida)

March 31 — Deadline for clubs to meet 2025 funding requirements for guaranteed or deferred compensation in NFL Player Contracts and contracts for non-player Club employees.

April 7 — Clubs that hired a new Head Coach after the end of the 2024 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.

April 16 — Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.

April 18 — Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign Offer Sheets.

April 21 — Clubs with returning Head Coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

April 23 — Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents who signed offer sheets. ... Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls), or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.

April 24-26 — Annual Selection Meeting/NFL Draft (Green Bay, Wisconsin)

April 29 — Deadline for Prior Club to send “April 29 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m., New York time, only with his Prior Club.

May 1 — Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.

May 2-5 or May 9-12 — Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.

May 12 — Rookie Football Development Programs begin.

May 15-18 — NFLPA Rookie Premiere (TBD) (Tentative)

May 20-21 — Spring League Meeting/Coach Accelerator (Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota)

May 31 — Deadline for all clubs to conduct physical examinations pursuant to CBA Article 45, Section 7(c) for players claiming the Extended Injury Protection Benefit for the 2025 season.

ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of AllDolphins.com and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

Follow @PoupartNFL

2023 Wild Card Playoffs Assignments

2023 Wild Card Playoffs Follow-up

2023 Wild Card Playoffs Photo Gallery

2023 Wild Card Playoffs

Nfl assigns officiating crews for the 2023-24 wild card playoffs.

The six referees for Wild Card Weekend have been announced.

Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Wild Card Playoffs. This is the fourth year of the expanded playoff system with six Wild Card Playoff games.

In 2020, the NFL moved to five alternates for the early postseason rounds, which will continue this season. The alternate officials are a referee, an umpire, a line of scrimmage official (down judge or line judge), a deep wing official (field judge or side judge), and a back judge. Officials who have alternate assignments are still eligible for an on-field assignment in the Divisional Playoffs or Conference Championships. Past practice is that the on-field Wild Card officials do not work another on-field assignment, although it is possible to see a double assignment for some isolated reasons. In any event, none of the officials listed here, including the alternates, would be receiving a Super Bowl assignment, other than as an alternate.

All times are Eastern. The prior playoff experience that is listed for the crew chief includes his service as an NFL official, including as referee and any other crew position (excluding alternate assignments).

Saturday, Jan. 13

Afc wild card: browns at texans, 4:30 p.m. nbc peacock.

Clay Martin is the referee, who is in his 9th season and 6th as referee. This is Martin’s 5th postseason assignment, including 4 Wild Card Playoffs and a Divisional Playoff.

AFC Wild Card: Dolphins at Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. Peacock

Brad Rogers is the referee, who is in his 7th season and 5th as referee. This is Rogers’s 2nd postseason assignment, and his first as referee. His first assignment, a Divisional Playoff, was as a field judge.

Sunday, Jan. 14

Nfc wild card: packers at cowboys, 4:30 p.m. fox.

Ron Torbert is the referee, who is in his 14th season and 10th as referee. This is Torbert’s 12th postseason assignment, including 4 Wild Card Playoffs, 6 Divisional Playoffs, 1 Conference Championship, and Super Bowl LVI .

NFC Wild Card: Rams at Lions, 8:15 p.m. NBC Peacock

Craig Wrolstad is the referee, who is in his 21st season and 10th as referee. This is his 14th postseason assignment, including 7 Wild Card Playoffs, 4 Divisional Playoffs, 2 Conference Championships, and Super Bowl XLVII . His Super Bowl assignment was as a field judge.

Monday, Jan. 15

Afc wild card: steelers at bills, 4:30 p.m. cbs paramount+.

Carl Cheffers is the referee, who is in his 24th season and 16th as referee. This is Cheffers’s 19th postseason assignment, including 6 Wild Card Playoffs, 7 Divisional Playoffs, 3 Conference Championships, and Super Bowls LI , LV , and LVII . All of his Super Bowl assignments were as a referee.

This game was rescheduled from Sunday afternoon due to a snow emergency .

NFC Wild Card: Eagles at Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m. ABC ESPN ESPN2 ESPN+

Adrian Hill is the referee, who is in his 14th season and 5th as referee. This is Hill’s 5th postseason assignment, including 4 Wild Card Playoffs and a Divisional Playoff.

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GLAD TO SEE BILL VINOVICH IS NOT REFEREEING ANY GAMES .WE TURN THE GAME OFF WHEN HE IS REFEREEING AT MY TAVERN , .HE ‘S A SCOUNDRAL FOR THE CALL HE MADE AGAINST THE SAINTS IN 2018 . HE SHOULD NEVER REF ANOTHER GAME . I CAN’T BELIEVE HE DIDN’T GET FIRED FOR THAT TERRIBLE CALL, AND IF YOU LOOK INTO HIS BACKGROUND HE OURELY WANTED L A RAMS TO WIN. LOOK UP WHER HE LIVED AND WHAT SCHOOLS HE PATONIZED ETC . SMELLS OF CHEATING . HE SHOULD REFERREE JV HIGH SCHOOL GAMES IF HE COULD EVEN DO THAT . HE IS A TERRL IBLE CROOKED REF. FIRE HIM !!!

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