The NFL may fortunately avoid another disastrous referee lockout (darn)

I'll admit. The closer we got to the train wreck, the more a part of me wanted to see it.

The NFL Referees Association scheduled a ratification vote for Thursday on a new CBA with the NFL, ESPN reported Tuesday, meaning they probably feel good about the way negotiations are going. And I'm happy for the refs, really. I don't want to see anybody out of work. But man, the thought of having replacement refs again after the 2012 debacle, screwing up calls for a league worth billions of dollars tickled me a little.

The content would've been tremendous.

Of course, it would've gotten old very fast. And I would've been the first one writing about how awful the replacement refs are, right here in this newsletter. Especially once they cost my Giants a game. But it seems the NFL will dodge that bullet -- in the final quarter too.

With the existing CBA between the league and refs set to expire May 31, the NFL had already begun in March recruiting potential replacement refs from the college ranks. Owners even approved rule changes to give more game-day authority to staffers at the officiating command center.

But those rule changes were contingent on a lockout, which it seems the NFL may avoid. And it's a good thing too. A repeat of the Fail Mary in 2026 would've been a disaster, and we all would've been watching.

Maple Leafs win the NHL draft lottery

But will Auston Matthews stick around?

Surprise, surprise. The Toronto Maple Leafs jumped up from the fifth-best odds to win the NHL draft lottery Tuesday, and fans all made the same Dallas Mavericks comparison afterward.

Thought the one obvious difference is Toronto hasn't traded its star player yet, despite Auston Matthews casting some doubt on his future with the team. Whatever happens with him, the Leafs will be happy to move forward with likely top pick Gavin McKenna, writes Cory Woodroof in his NHL mock draft of the top 10 picks:

"A forgettable season in Toronto leads the franchise to its potential future franchise face in McKenna. He should slot in as a top-six forward early in his career with the Maple Leafs. His 15 goals and 36 assists from his 2025-26 season with the Nittany Lions should translate to some early production with Toronto, who needs a young star to emerge if Auston Matthews winds up on the trade block this summer. If Matthews stays, McKenna is a heck of a sidekick."

Quick hits: The Nuggets' voice ... Caitlin Clark underrated ... and more

• Christian Braun calling himself the Nuggets' leader is so wild it doesn't seem like a real quote. In fact, Robert Zeglinski believes it's a massive indictment of Nikola Jokic.
• It's hard to believe after all she's done, but Cory Woodroof thinks Caitlin Clark is still underrated going into the 2026 season.
• Austin Rivers laid into Draymond Green for what he called "disrespectful" commentary by the Warriors star.
• Victor Wembanyama had 12 blocks Monday to complete a triple-double, but several of those swats may have been goaltending.
• Patrick Mahomes might just be ready to play by Week 1 judging by Chiefs GM Brett Veach's optimistic words.
• Lavar Ball's foot amputation couldn't keep him out the gym. He took the floor with Lethal Shooter to get some shots up, and yeah, Ball can still talk with the best of them.

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL referees near vote on CBA to avoid another disastrous lockout