Mike Pereira
Football rules and officiating analyst for Fox Sports.
Mike Pereira’s key accomplishments include:
- College football official for 14 years starting in 1982.
- Nine years in the Big West Conference (1982-91).
- Five years in the Western Athletic Conference (1992-96).
- Officiated eight postseason bowl games including the Aloha Bowl and Cotton Bowl twice each, Citrus Bowl, Gator Bowl, Holiday Bowl and Freedom Bowl.
- Coordinator of football officials for the Western Athletic Conference, 1996-97.
- NFL side judge 1996-97.
- Named NFL director of officiating, 2001.
- Title changed to vice president of officiating, 2006.
- Retired as vice president, 2009.
More about Mike Pereira:
Born and raised in Stockton, Calif., Pereira played baseball at Santa Clara University. He graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in Finance. In his job with Fox Sports, Pereira contributes regularly to the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show, FoxSports.com, Fox Sports Radio and game broadcasts of NFL and NCAA college football games.
Pereira served on the Officiating Development Alliance (ODA) during his tenure with the NFL.
He is a member of the NASO Board of Directors.
His father, the late Al Pereira, also officiated high school and college football.
Pereira is a cancer survivor. He and his wife, Gail, live in Sacramento, Calif.
Mike Pereira appeared in a feature article in the March 2010 issue of Referee Magazine.
What people have said about Mike Pereira:
“Viewers have longed for broadcasters to provide accurate explanations from the NFL’s byzantine rulebook, and Pereira, thankfully, has taken the burden off ex-jocks and announcers, who can come off as befuddled as fans.”
— Sports Illustrated
“Mike is one of the most personable and professional individuals I know; the perfect mix of gregariousness, knowledge, passion, humor and humility. He understands the officiating industry — in all sports and at all levels — and works tirelessly to advance it. I have treasured the opportunity to work with Mike on the ODA and will always value his wisdom and friendship. He’s truly one of a kind.”
— Mary Struckhoff
Former NCAA national coordinator of women’s basketball officials and assistant director of the NFHS
“Mike’s forté was in communication: with the staff, the media and the clubs. He emphasized communication whether it was with the clubs, media or coaches. Mike allowed us to have a higher profile and allowed some of the officials to show that there is another side to these guys running around the field in stripes. That has proven to be a positive.”
— Bill Carollo
Former NFL referee