The NFL has informed franchise executives that they may be educated in the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement as early as Thursday. The NFLPA summoned it’s leadership of a potential vote, strong signs that the NFL lockout may be coming to an end this week.
According to the AP, lawyers for both sides met for 8.5 hours on Monday in New York including 3 1/2 with a court-appointed mediator, to try to close a deal to resolve the sport’s first work stoppage since 1987. Talks will continue Tuesday between the two sides.
“Making progress,” said NFL Players Association outside counsel Jeffrey Kessler, who also represents locked-out NBA players.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith spoke on the phone Monday and planned to stay in regular contact.
“Nobody cheers for you at Mile 25 of a marathon. You still have to cross the finish line,” NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said in Washington. “There still are things that can get you tripped up, and we’re going to push through.”
NFL owners are scheduled to meet in Atlanta on Thursday where they could ratify a new deal if it is available.
Source: Yahoo Sports, Associated Press