The lockout began in August 2001 after both sides failed to reach consensus on a collective bargaining agreement, which had expired upon the conclusion of the 2000 NFL Season.
[3] On August 13, 2001, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated that the two sides were far apart in negotiations and placed a 10-day time limit on getting a new contract signed before the league would pivot towards using replacement officials.
[5] Following more failed negotiations, it was announced on September 6 that the replacement officials would work the Week 1 games after the union rejected a revised offer from the league.
[8] The primary sources of disagreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association pertained to the salaries, pensions, and severance for the officials.
"[14] Sprenger later resigned after Smith sent a letter to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue claiming that he had been punched, leg-whipped, and face-grabbed with no consequences given.