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Dave Zirin: The NFL Ref Lockout Highlights Class Problem in the US

Commissioner Roger Goodell echoes the anti-labor rhetoric of Mitt Romney and Scott Walker.

Press Room

September 26, 2012

The ongoing labor dispute between NFL executives and union referees climaxed Monday night in Seattle, when a botched call by incompetent replacement refs robbed the Green Bay Packers of a win. Besides turning game officiating into a farce and risking the health of players, the referee lockout also shines a light on the bigger problems surrounding class in America. On Democracy Now!, Nation sportswriter Dave Zirin compares the “corporate arrogance” of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell—who despite making $20 million a year, demonizes union referees for defending their pension packages—to Wisconsin governor and union-buster Scott Walker, a Packers fan who awkwardly tweeted support for the union refs after Monday night’s game.

Steven Hsieh

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