USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell notes the "slamming" of NFL officials by players and coaches "represents the latest credibility issue for a league already damaged by one off-the-field storm after another." Bell: "It sure feels like the complaints are at an all-time high, which I’d suspect goes a lot deeper than a reflection of the times when social media allows for instant, unfiltered expression. We’re seeing and hearing major disrespect for the NFL office that has been building for much longer than this year's intense presidential election." It is "too bad that poor calls by officials are lumped into the credibility vacuum." But generally speaking, officials "get it right" (USA TODAY, 11/10).
DUST IN THE WIND: The AP's Ronald Blum cited a source as saying that the MLBPA "has fired arbitrator Fredric Horowitz." MLB Chief Legal Officer Dan Halem informed GMs "at their meeting this week." The MLBPA "made the decision after Horowitz ruled against it in an injury assignment case" involving Dodgers SS Charlie Culberson. Horowitz "started as baseball's neutral arbitrator" in June '12 (AP, 11/9).
GAME ON? TSN.ca's Darren Dreger reported the IIHF, NHL, NHLPA, USA Hockey and Hockey Canada "will meet next week" in N.Y. to "discuss [the] latest on NHL participation" in the '18 PyeongChang Games. While "no decision will be made next week," the league will "want a more clear view to update its owners" at meetings in Florida next month (TWITTER.com, 11/9).
