NHL Officials Reject Offer, Threaten Strike : Hockey: The league’s proposal would have increased their pay by 65% over four years.

The NHL Officials Assn. on Friday unanimously rejected an offer the league said was its final proposal, setting the stage for a strike at midnight Sunday.

By a vote of 58-0, the officials spurned a plan that would increase referees’ pay by 29% and linesmen’s pay by 26% in the first year and by 65% over four years. Officials, who have worked without a contract since Aug. 31, initially asked for a 100% increase in referees’ first-year salaries, from $50,000 to $100,000. They later reduced that request to 65%.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the rift widened Friday after officials demanded the league add to its offer more than $1.5 million per year in salary and benefits. Bettman said he had already increased the playoff pool, pension and severance pay beyond what some owners approved.

“The level of (officials’) expectation is sufficiently high that a strike may in fact be inevitable,” Bettman said.

The league already has replacement officials ready in case of a strike.

Referee Terry Gregson, president of the officials association, said his constituents are angry enough to risk not being rehired after a strike.

“We have all talked about this,” Gregson said. “We have looked at things and said, ‘If this is what it takes, maybe it’s time for a career change.’ We have been given a mandate and what we presented today, in a small way, is an ultimatum back to them.”

Bettman disputed reports that additional talks were scheduled. He said he would resume negotiations any time, “but they have indicated a complete unwillingness to meet with us unless we meet the price of admission, which is $6 million for four years.

“They do a great job, but I’m not sure that’s a gap that can be bridged or we have any intention of bridging.”

NHL executives would not identify the 70 replacements, but said all have officiating experience, including some in the NHL. A schedule has been drawn up through Wednesday for the substitutes, who will wear wireless transmitters to keep them in contact with supervisory personnel in case they need assistance. Referees will earn $800 per game and linesmen $500.