http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/deadspin.com.png http://deadspin.com/tag/referees http://deadspin.com/tag/referees

It goes without saying (and yet bears repeating) that NFL Films does an incredible job. Their weekly Sound FX packages, where selected players are mic'ed up for the game (like Tebow!), are slick and entertaining, but above all insightful. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5884027&view=rss&microfeed=true

Perhaps referees can't be bothered to care when two last-place teams go at it. That's the only possible explanation for the lack of a call on Anaheim's Corey Perry for tripping up Carolina's Jussi Jokinen. It wasn't away from the puck, or in a cloud of bodies, but right out there in the open where everyone and their mother but not referee Tim Peel could see. The old "let them play" dictum is nice, but not when the offense is so blatant and the turnover leads to the perp scoring the game-winner while the victim is still regaining his footing. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5883682&view=rss&microfeed=true

The rage came forth from Lakers coach Mike Brown in the final period of L.A.'s 96-87 loss to the Jazz tonight in Salt Lake City. It's unclear whether Brown made contact with the referee—which would earn him at least a one-game suspension—but his outburst earned him a double-technical, immediate ejection, and a sarcastic standing ovation from the Utah crowd. [Root Sports] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5882355&view=rss&microfeed=true

The Thunder took 33 trips to the line, and the Mavericks didn't think that was particularly fair. "We attack the basket strong and didn't get anything," said Shawn Marion. "They call ticky-tack down on the other end." More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5881672&view=rss&microfeed=true

Things got scarier than usual Wednesday at the New Year Grand Sumo tournament when gyoji Shozaburo Kimura found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The referee was knocked unconscious and removed from the auditorium on a stretcher. [Kyodo] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5876269&view=rss&microfeed=true

Just about an hour ago, a Twitter handle @NBAOfficials went live, with a single Tweet: an explanation of why Dwyane Wade's gamewinning jump-stop-pivot jumper with 2.9 seconds left was right not to be whistled for a travel. The Tweet was a response to Hardwood Paroxysm's Rob Mahoney and ESPN's Tom Haberstroh, both of whom argued that the jump stop counted as a second step and should have been called. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5871984&view=rss&microfeed=true

With time running out in the Massachusetts Division 4A championship game, Cathedral High's Matthew Owens ran the QB keeper. Rolling to his right, Owens blew through the defense and sprinted 56 yards for the go-ahead score. He handed the ball to the ref, and that's when he saw the yellow flag. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5865578&view=rss&microfeed=true

Every morning, the fine folks at Sports Radio Interviews sift through the a.m. drive-time chatter to bring you the best interviews with coaches, players, and personalities across the sports landscape. Today: the muscliest of refs talks about the new rule changes. More »
]]> Sports Radio Interviews]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5835876&view=rss&microfeed=true

This is from the 2009 Western Conference finals, and we have no idea why it just showed up on YouTube yesterday. But watch at the 0:07 mark, when linesman Brad Lazarowich enters the picture, seemingly out of nowhere. We've watched this about a billion times, and we think we've figured it out: it's magic. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5819007&view=rss&microfeed=true

Not too many people know about the drop kick rule in pro football—it's one of those things Bill Belichick ordered Doug Flutie to do so that the Patriots might rub the league's nose in it. Essentially, one can punt the ball through the uprights for an extra point or field goal. But modern offenses now have no use for a sneak-attack field goal. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5817855&view=rss&microfeed=true

This is like if Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe, then allowed him to stab Armando Galarraga to death. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5813579&view=rss&microfeed=true

After the shouldabeen perfect game, Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce wrote a book together. Because they've got a business relationship, says MLB, Joyce would not be allowed to work any games involving Galarraga's teams. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5807976&view=rss&microfeed=true

The Washington Officials Association is punishing 143 football referees in the Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association (PNFOA) for wearing pink whistles to support breast cancer awareness and for donating their game checks to the cause. The PNFOA, which had been warned that the plan would break uniform code, is now on probation for three years, and all of its referees "will have the majority of their playoff games revoked for the next two years." [MyNorthwest.com] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5803149&view=rss&microfeed=true

That's referee Howard Webb over there. A photoshop of him actually, because he doesn't really wear a Manchester United kit while refereeing. He wears a referee's shirt. After a controversial FA Cup match in January, with some controversial decisions going United's way, Liverpool player Ryan Babel posted the photoshopped image to his Twitter. He was fined for it. Basically, everyone thinks Howard Webb is in the bag for their rival. Remember all this, it'll come up later. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5798155&view=rss&microfeed=true

There are better quality videos of English referee Sian Massey getting taken down yesterday. But they don't come with the built-in commentary. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5798104&view=rss&microfeed=true

Every morning, the fine folks at Sports Radio Interviews sift through the a.m. drive-time chatter to bring you the best interviews with coaches, players, and personalities across the sports landscape. Today: what Donaghy thinks of the refereeing so far in these playoffs. Cubes won't like this one. More »
]]> Sports Radio Interviews]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5794105&view=rss&microfeed=true

Mark Cuban take note: three teams in the Premier Basketball League have left the organization after some decidedly one-sided refereeing in the finals. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5793619&view=rss&microfeed=true The Mavericks are 2-16 in playoff games officiated by Danny Crawford. They are 48-41 in the same timeframe without Crawford on the court. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5793559&view=rss&microfeed=true

NBA referee Bill Spooner is really forking mad about the mean tweet by AP reporter Jon Krawczynski during a Timberwolves-Rockets game on January 24. In the second quarter of the game, Spooner called a foul on Timberwolves forward Anthony Tolliver. Aaron Brooks went to the line and hit two free throws for the Rockets. Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis cut into Spooner, who promised to review the foul at halftime. Rambis then asked Spooner how he'd get the points back. What happened next will be decided in federal court. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5782076&view=rss&microfeed=true

The Spoiler is never one to jump on a bandwagon, in fact, we still love Nick Clegg, we don't think the Kings of Leon have, like, totally sold out and some of our best friends are bankers. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5780363&view=rss&microfeed=true

In the Big East tournament, Rutgers was just victimized by a historically bad no-call (that immediately followed up two fairly egregious no-calls against them). Trying to run the clock out, the St. John's player traveled, stepped out of the bounds, and chucked the ball into the seats with nearly two seconds left. No whistle. Game over. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5780310&view=rss&microfeed=true

Because no one reads the newspaper, and SportsCenter's anchors are too perky for this early in the morning, Deadspin combs the best of the broadsheets and internets to bring you everything you need to know to start your day. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5748684&view=rss&microfeed=true

It's rare when we even notice which conference's refs are working bowl games. So the Big Ten crews at the Music City and Pinstripe Bowls must have been doing something right. Or wrong. Or both. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5721981&view=rss&microfeed=true

Can we bring back the sweater and necktie? It'd make Paul Devorski look so much more dapper whilst flipping off the fans. [Third String Goalie] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5720592&view=rss&microfeed=true

Mini-controversy in Columbus, as veteran ref Paul Devorski allegedly responded to taunting fans by showing them exactly what they can do to themselves. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5719772&view=rss&microfeed=true Oh look, the Steelers got the benefit of a call that was an honest mistake, didn't affect the game, and still won't stop everyone's beliefs that refs love Pittsburgh from being reinforced. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5715818&view=rss&microfeed=true

Your guess is as good as mine as to where this comes from. All I know is that ref will keep a closer eye on clearances in the future, and maybe consider a stronger adhesive. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5713830&view=rss&microfeed=true

A Florida high schooler, upset over an iffy T, shows his displeasure with the ref in a very physical way. The game was forfeited, the player was ejected, and he could be facing expulsion. [via The Big Lead] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5713513&view=rss&microfeed=true

Last night, Ryan Callahan and Sidney Crosby were jostling for position. Crosby appeared to kick Callahan's skate out from under him. That's called a slew foot, and it's illegal. Callahan was called for interference. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5702261&view=rss&microfeed=true

It's easy to forget that beneath the various lotions and products, the womanly tattoos and the feathery hairstyles, David Beckham is a warrior. A macho football maniac. Above is proof of that. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5701581&view=rss&microfeed=true

Entered as evidence in a wrongful termination filing by a former referee are a series of emails from NHL Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. He appears alternately juvenile, incompetent and biased. Business as usual. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5690212&view=rss&microfeed=true

With a 2-year-old child wedged on the pedal, the golf cart careened out of control across a high school football field, leaving bodies in its wake. Well, one body. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5585930&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 7, with video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5567321&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 6, with video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5565162&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 5, with video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5563086&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 4, with accompanying video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5561201&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 3, with accompanying video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5559056&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, is reviewing the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 2, with accompanying video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5557203&view=rss&microfeed=true

In sports, everyone is a winner-some people just win better than others. Like complaining about the officiating in the NHL and NBA finals, a tradition as old as sport itself. The peanut gallery's louder than usual today, perhaps not without reason. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5557117&view=rss&microfeed=true

Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee who spent 11 months in prison for relaying inside information to gamblers, will review the performance of his former colleagues during the NBA Finals. Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Game 1, with accompanying video. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5555622&view=rss&microfeed=true