USFL Playoff Game Shows Value of Sky Judge Approach
by | June 26, 2023
The Importance of Officiating in Sports
Sports competitions are built on the foundation of fair play. Athletes dedicate their lives to honing their skills, and fans invest their time, money, and emotions into the games they love. Central to maintaining fairness is the role of officiating, the neutral authority responsible for enforcing the rules and ensuring a level playing field for all participants.
NFL’s Struggle with Officiating Improvement
When it comes to improving the officiating function, the National Football League (NFL) has often exhibited a toxic combination of cheapness and stubbornness. However, a recent USFL playoff game between the Pittsburgh Maulers and the Michigan Panthers showcased the value of a different approach – the sky judge.
The Role of the Sky Judge
The concept of a sky judge involves having a video official who can correct officiating errors in real-time during the game. In this playoff game, the sky judge, Mike Pereira, observed a penalty call that nullified a crucial touchdown by Michigan. Upon review, Pereira determined that there was no foul, and the touchdown was rightfully restored.
Limitations in the NFL’s Officiating Approach
One key distinction between the USFL and the NFL is the ability to review certain penalties. While the USFL had the mechanism to overturn a face mask penalty, the NFL does not permit similar reviews for face mask calls or non-calls. Consequently, an NFL playoff game with a similar erroneous penalty call would have left no way to rectify the mistake.
The Cry for Improvement
The incident has sparked calls for the NFL to adopt the sky judge approach and improve its officiating system. NBC analyst Jason Garrett emphasized the importance of Pereira’s correction in ensuring justice and creating a better game. However, the significance goes beyond the game itself. With the rise of legalized sports betting, the accuracy of officiating decisions has a direct impact on the outcome of wagers, underscoring the need for the NFL to take officiating seriously.
Gambling and the Stakes for the NFL
The NFL, with its immensely popular product, has welcomed gambling into its world to expand revenue and attract new audiences. However, with this embrace comes a heightened responsibility to provide fair and transparent officiating. When millions of dollars are at stake, the expectation is that officials will make correct calls, and the league will have mechanisms in place to address mistakes swiftly and effectively.
The NFL’s Reactive Nature
Unfortunately, the NFL has a reputation for being reactive rather than proactive. Instead of identifying and resolving potential issues in advance, the league often waits until a problem arises before taking action. The infamous pass interference blunder in the 2018 NFC Championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams serves as an example of the league’s reactive approach to addressing rule-related controversies.
A Call for Change
If the NFL wishes to avoid future scandals and maintain its integrity in the face of potential legal challenges, it must prioritize proactive measures. The USFL’s implementation of the sky judge procedure during their playoff game serves as a case in point. While Pittsburgh ultimately won the game, they did so through their performance on the field and not due to a “human error” that officials refused to correct.
Embracing the Sky Judge Approach
The sky judge concept offers the NFL a readily available solution for quickly and efficiently rectifying officiating errors. The league must acknowledge the sky judge’s potential to enhance the game’s fairness and address the concerns of stakeholders, including players, coaches, fans, and those with financial interests in the outcomes of the games.
A Reckless and Foolish Approach
The NFL cannot afford to continue operating with a reckless and foolish approach when it comes to officiating. In the face of increasing gambling involvement and potential legal consequences, the league’s power structure must demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing officiating issues promptly and effectively. Failure to do so risks not only the integrity of the game but also the trust of its fans and financial partners.
Contact at efelsenthal@nytimes.com
<< photo by Sabri Tuzcu >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
