“This is unprecedented.” Although officials have previously been under investigation, a 10-game penalty and a half-million-dollar fine? That’s a consequence that might change your career.
The public wants more information, but the NFL must have something noteworthy to justify this. Sports lawyer Mike Florio, on the other hand, took issue with the NFL’s strategy, stating:
“Why isn’t Blakeman facing a life ban if there was real game-fixing? Why is the penalty so harsh if there wasn’t? Although this looks like an overcorrection,
The league is attempting to convey a message. Discussions over NFL officiating transparency have also been stoked by the scandal.
In the aftermath of this controversy, there have been more calls for full-time referees, better accountability, and more control of referee contacts with outside parties.