While the 2024-2025 NFL season has come to an end, conversations surrounding the NFL referees are just starting to kick up. During the recent NFL season, the debate surrounding refereeing ignited once again.[1] Why has the conversation heated up? One reason. The Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL has always had controversial calls. For example, in the 2023-2024 season during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions, the Lions were on track to win the game with a successful two-point conversion play. Taylor Decker lined up on the line as a receiver, catching the pass for a short-lived success. However, the referee threw a flag, claiming Decker did not report as an eligible receiver, and the Lions were penalized for illegal touching.[2]
The controversy continued amplified during this past season. NFL conspiracy theorists have suggested the NFL is rigged to put the Kansas City Chiefs in a better position to win the Super Bowl.[3] This year, many controversial calls have come out of Chiefs games, leaving fans to dissect the refereeing and suggest favoritism. For example, in the first game of the season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isiah Likely caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson with five seconds left in the 4th quarter. A touchdown that could have tied the game or had the Ravens win with a successful two-point conversion was because Likely’s foot was ever-so-slightly (if at all) out of bounds.[4] Most recently, and most controversial, the referees in the 2024 AFC Championship game between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills called quarterback Josh Allen short of the first down line on 4th down, resulting in a turnover on downs, arguably helping the Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl.[5]
Controversial calls are not to minimize the incredible feat the Chiefs accomplished this year, going to the Super Bowl with the chance to make NFL history. However, the increased number of controversial calls, many in the Chiefs’ favor, have led fans to express their increasing displeasure. and even suggest that the NFL is rigged.
Alternatively, people suggest the NFL is not rigged because as a business, the NFL will prosper regardless.[6]Ultimately, the NFL is designed so that, “each owner shares in the riches while fixing costs – essentially guaranteeing profit (combined with an appreciation in franchise value).”[7] In other words, Rodger Goodell (the NFL Commissioner) and the League do not benefit from any individual team’s success, but that of the League as a whole.[8] There is mixed value in having a dominant franchise – “the Michael Jordan effect”. While the extended success of a particular team, and the potential of a historic Chief’s “Threepeat” is undeniably attractive, at some point interest in a foregone outcome diminishes. Particularly, we saw a decrease in viewership in Buffalo this year due to “Chiefs fatigue” and controversial officiating.
The continuing controversy forced the NFL to comment. Before the Super Bowl, the NFL union representing the officials “called allegations that officiating crews are biased in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs or any other team ‘insulting and preposterous.’”[9] Moreover, the association found it infuriating that people believe the refs are not doing everything they can to make the right call. Further, the NFL Referees Association executive director released a statement commending the NFL and Goodell for defending the officials’ integrity and the overall integrity of the game.[10]
An analysis of the penalties assessed for and against the Chiefs does not indicate a systematic bias towards any one team – and the Chiefs have been penalized 120 yards more in comparison to other teams (in both the regular season and the playoffs).[11]
Whether fans believe the NFL is rigged to help the Chiefs, the NFL is a business. The NFL makes money regardless of fans’ perspective on the integrity of the officiating crews. However, since the Chiefs lost Super Bowl LIX, it will be interesting to monitor the controversy. Will the opinions of the fans die down now that the 3-peat was denied? Or will fans continue to insist the NFL is rigged? Either way, with more views and conversation, the NFL will continue to profit – something that will not change, regardless of the controversy.
[1] https://ublawsportsforum.com/2023/02/21/the-nfl-isnt-rigged-but-this-is-how-they-would-do-it-and-why/.
[2] https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/lions-created-illusion-led-to-confusion-controversial-call-dean-blandino-says.
[3] https://sportsepreneur.com/is-the-nfl-rigged/.
[4] https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-officiating-a-look-at-the-key-controversies-surrounding-kansas-city-this-season-163843973.html.
[5] Id.
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6122065/2025/02/09/super-bowl-referees-2025-conspiracy-chiefs-eagles/.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-officiating-209eab15a75eaee95bf7f88cc89d5af1.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
Alex Brockhuizen (’25) is pursuing her JD at the University at Buffalo School of Law, with a concentration in Sports Law. After graduation, she will be working at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. At UB, Alex is co-director of the Labor and Employment Law Society and Treasurer of the Buffalo Sports Law and Entertainment Law Society. She is also Business Editor of the Buffalo Law Review, where she was deemed a finalist of the Note and Comment Competition her 2L year. Alex is also a former two-sport athlete at Elmira College.
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