Скачать или смотреть Northeast Ohio high school football under pressure as number of officials declines

The number of high school football officials has declined over the last 10 years, and now, some in Northeast Ohio are contemplating a boycott if their requests aren't met by local conferences.

"There's a real threat to the sport of football," Cleveland Football Officials Association Secretary Anthony Bondra warns.

The CFOA made a request in February to conferences in an effort to raise wages for officials, asking for 80 a game this season with increases by $10 each year until they receive $100 per game. It appears those requests have not been met, and now, a majority of refs are open to sitting out.

"We gave them a survey originally," Bondra said of his fellow officials. "We asked how many guys are willing to sit out Week One if, in fact, that conference that you're working in doesn't pay at least $80 a game, and eight out of every 10 said they would boycott the games."

Neil Fischer reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/h...