🏈 CPS SPORTS HIT WITH CANCELLATIONS AFTER UNPAID REFEREES STOP WORKING

730 BOOM RADIO | WHAT’S HAPPENING CHICAGO

CHICAGO 💥 Imagine practicing all week, getting your uniform ready, telling your family what time the game starts, and then finding out:

NO REF. NO GAME.

That became reality for some Chicago Public Schools athletes this week after sports officials stopped accepting assignments because they said they had gone weeks without being paid. Multiple freshman and junior varsity football games were canceled, and reports said girls flag football and volleyball were affected as well. Chicago Sun-Times

Now before somebody hollers, “These refs don't care about the kids!”

Hold it.

They care about getting their CHECK. 😂

Officials said schools paid them directly during the first three weeks of the football season. Beginning with Week 4, CPS was supposed to handle the payments, but referees said the money didn't arrive. Week 7 was beginning with some officials still waiting. Chicago Sun-Times

Some officials who work multiple sports told FOX 32 they were owed roughly $1,500 to $2,000. CPS attributed the payment problem to an issue involving a third-party software vendor. Fox 32 Chicago

Lady Red needs everybody in administration to come to the front of the classroom.

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THESE PEOPLE BEEN OUT THERE RUNNING UP AND DOWN FIELDS, BLOWING WHISTLES, DODGING FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND LISTENING TO PARENTS SCREAM “THAT WAS A TERRIBLE CALL!”... FOR FREE?! 😭

Baby, eventually that whistle is going in the DRAWER.

💰 BUT THERE'S GOOD NEWS

As of Wednesday, CPS said it had expedited payments to affected officials, and referees agreed to return for the upcoming varsity football games. CPS says the varsity schedule will proceed. Chicago Sun-Times

So the headline changed pretty quickly from “Where's our money?” to “Okay, see y'all at kickoff.” 😂

But the games already canceled can't simply be erased from the story.

Morgan Park's freshman and JV teams were among those affected, and Whitney Young's JV game was also canceled. Young coach Dan Finger told the Sun-Times his team didn't learn its game was canceled until roughly 2 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Chicago Sun-Times

And THAT is where this stops being funny.

Student athletes put real work into these games. For younger players especially, freshman and JV contests are where they develop, compete and earn opportunities to move up.

Adults having payment-system problems shouldn't end with kids losing games they can't get back.

And as for the referees?

PAY PEOPLE FOR THEIR WORK.

That shouldn't require instant replay. 🏁😂

730 BOOM RADIO

IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥