Dean Blandino

Dean Blandino has transitioned from NFL Vice President of Officiating to a prominent rules analyst for Fox Sports and head of officiating for the UFL. After beginning his professional journey with an internship in the NFL’s officiating department under Jerry Seeman, Dean Blandino became a full-time employee after the 1994 season, marking the start of a significant career in football officiating. His role expanded significantly with the introduction of instant replay to the NFL in 1999, at which point Blandino was assigned to organize and manage this groundbreaking program. He held this crucial position for six years, during which he also gained critical game-day decision-making experience by serving as a replay official for two Super Bowls.

He joined Fox Sports in June 2017 as a prominent rules analyst for both NFL and college football coverage, quickly becoming a recognizable voice and face in sports media. Additionally, he served as executive producer for the 2018 project ‘Her Turf,’ an officiating consultant for the Alliance of Football, and contributes regularly to The Athletic, providing expert insights. On January 6, 2020, Blandino was named the head of officiating for the revitalized XFL, where he built and managed the officiating department for the league’s inaugural season. Following the league’s transformation, he currently serves as the head of officiating for the UFL, a testament to his continued leadership in professional football operations.

His ongoing dual role as a high-profile Fox Sports rules analyst and the UFL’s head of officiating solidifies his standing as a leading expert at the intersection of professional football rules, analysis, and execution.