Sports officiating
Los Angeles Rams' Austin Corbett pauses before an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team 10/11/2020

Oct. 11, 2020 12:58 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after scoring his first NFL touchdown in the third quarter of a football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
Hall of Famer Donnie Shell works on growing relationships

By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2020 11:45 AM EDT

Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer, left, and cornerback Josh Norman, right, guard Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. Poyer was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/David Becker)
On Football: Officiating not much of NFL issue thus far

By Barry Wilner Oct. 09, 2020 12:12 AM EDT

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) jogs onto the field for warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys 10/4/2020

Oct. 04, 2020 12:30 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys fans Jeff Wahnon, left, and Kelly Garon, center, of Lowell, Mass., talk with Gilbert Montez, right, of Los Angeles, as they tailgate outside of AT&T Stadium before an NFL football game agains the Atlanta Falcons in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys 9/20/2020

Sep. 20, 2020 11:20 AM EDT

Players begin to warm up as the seats are empty at Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers 9/20/2020

Sep. 20, 2020 11:12 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 26, 2016, file photo, then-Miami Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Administration Dawn Aponte stands on the field after a Miami Dolphins voluntary veterans football minicamp in Davie, Fla. For the past six-plus months, NFL football teams have been working virtually and eventually on the field to get ready for a season opener that came about despite the pain, tragedy and uneasiness caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Officiating crews have also been getting ready virtually for the most part, said Aponte, the NFL's chief football administrative officer.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Path to first weekend was different for NFL officials, too

By Tom Canavan Sep. 13, 2020 02:42 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Los Angeles Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals 9/13/2020

Sep. 13, 2020 02:40 PM EDT

Seats at Fedex Field display the Washington Football Team logo on the seats during pregame warmups of an NFL football game between Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team 9/13/2020

Sep. 13, 2020 12:20 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons 9/13/2020

Sep. 13, 2020 11:54 AM EDT

A parking lot outside Gillette Stadium is unused by tailgating fans before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots 9/13/2020

Sep. 13, 2020 10:26 AM EDT

FILE - Down judge Jeff Bergman checks his headset before the New Orleans Saints play the Cleveland Browns in an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The NFL's longest-serving on-field official was among five who have opted to take a leave of absence for the 2020 season. Bergman, who was entering his 29th year of service, headlined the list released Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 by the NFL. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
5 NFL officials take a leave of absence for 2020 season

Aug. 14, 2020 01:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 12, 2020, file photo, Miami Marlins' Jonathan Villar, left, Jesus Aguilar, center, and Jon Berti wait to bat during a baseball scrimmage at Marlins Park in Miami. Marlins CEO Derek Jeter blamed the team's coronavirus outbreak on a collective false sense of security that made players lax about social distancing and wearing masks. Infected were 21 members of the team's traveling party, including at least 18 players. None is seriously ill, Jeter said Monday, and he expects all to return this season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
The Latest: AP Source: divisions to decide NCAA fall champs

By The Associated Press Aug. 04, 2020 12:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 28, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, talks with second base umpire Mike Everitt during a pitching change in the 10th inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Washington. Major League Baseball will start each extra inning this season by putting a runner on second base. This rule has been used since 2018 in the minor leagues, where it created more action and settled games sooner. “I haven’t met anyone so far that likes it,” Martinez said. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Diamondbacks at Nationals 4/28/2018

Jul. 09, 2020 03:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a season ticket member fan forum before practice at the Cleveland Browns NFL football team's training camp facility in Berea, Ohio. Several NFL teams are reopening their training facilities Tuesday, May 19, 2020, while many are prohibited by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the 32 clubs the go-ahead for limited reopenings as long as state and local municipalities allow them. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
NFL coaches could return to team facilities next week

By Barry Wilner May. 28, 2020 02:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019 file photo Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks an onside kick during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew. The league also is looking at other rules changes, including an alternative to the onside kick. NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, file)
NFL looks at adding "booth umpire" and tech adviser for refs

By Rob Maaddi May. 21, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

A TV camera man works near empty seats before the start of a baseball game between Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Cheerleaders danced beneath rows of empty seats and umpires wore protective masks as a new baseball season began in South Korea. After a weeks-long delay because of the coronavirus pandemic, a hushed atmosphere allowed for sounds like the ball hitting the catcher's mitt and bats smacking the ball for a single or double to echo around the stadium. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Play ball: Korean baseball league begins in empty stadiums

By Kim Tong-Hyung May. 05, 2020 01:57 AM EDT

In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, officials discuss a call during the first half of an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos in Denver. Two teams have suggested changes to game officiating, including a "sky judge" utilized by colleges, among seven rules proposals that will be presented to team owners later this month. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
NFL teams propose 7 rules changes, including extra officials

Mar. 10, 2020 08:15 PM EDT

Vinovich chosen as Super Bowl ref because of highest rating

By Barry Wilner Jan. 16, 2020 06:16 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Two people familiar with the assignment tell The Associated Press that Bill Vinovich was chosen to work this year's Super Bowl because he had...

Veteran referee Vinovich heads Super Bowl crew

Jan. 15, 2020 05:23 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran referee Bill Vinovich will head the crew for the Super Bowl in Miami. Vinovich is in his 15th season as an NFL...