NFL Should Embrace UFL's Officiating Transparency

Former NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino says the league could learn from the UFL's open communication approach.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the multifaceted nature of officiating in the sport.A cubist interpretation of the complex officiating decisions that shape the outcome of NFL games.Green Bay Today

The article argues that the NFL should adopt more transparency in its officiating, similar to the approach used by the UFL. Former NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino suggests the NFL could start by allowing fans to hear conversations between officials and the command center during primetime games, which could help address concerns about officiating decisions.

Why it matters

Improving the perception of officiating is important for the NFL, as too many fans are suspicious of the decision-making process. Greater transparency could help address conspiracy theories and give fans a better understanding of how calls are made.

The details

The UFL fully embraces transparency, allowing the audience to hear conversations between officials and the command center, including input from officiating experts like Blandino. While the NFL has been resistant to this level of openness, citing challenges with managing multiple games simultaneously, Blandino believes the league could start with primetime contests and gradually expand the approach.

  • The NFL adopted the XFL's alternative kickoff formation two years ago.

The players

Dean Blandino

Former NFL officiating chief who has advocated for more transparency in officiating.

Mike Pereira

Officiating expert who could provide input to officials in a transparent UFL-style system.

Walt Anderson

NFL official who makes occasional appearances on NFL Network to discuss officiating decisions.

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What they’re saying

“You're gonna see myself [and] Mike Pereira, in the command center, you're gonna be able to hear what we're saying. You're gonna be able to hear what the officials are saying. You might not always agree with the decision, but you're gonna understand why.”

— Dean Blandino, Former NFL officiating chief

“Maybe you start with primetime games with the one-off games, and kind of crawl before you're able to run. But I do think, again, there's so much riding on these games, and you think about just the livelihoods of the players and the coaches, and then you think about the sports betting element, and everything else, transparency's good. And I think more the league could do, I think it's better for everyone.”

— Dean Blandino, Former NFL officiating chief

What’s next

The NFL could begin implementing more transparency in officiating by allowing fans to hear conversations between officials and the command center during primetime games, and then potentially expanding the approach to more contests.

The takeaway

Improving the perception of officiating is crucial for the NFL, and greater transparency like that used by the UFL could help address fan concerns and conspiracy theories. While there are logistical challenges, the league should explore ways to provide more insight into the decision-making process to build trust with its audience.