As players prepared to consider the terms of a new labor deal, negotiators met again in New York, haggling over the final few details standing in the way of an agreement in principle to end a lockout that started March 12.
At issue is a demand by the players' lawyers for $320 million the owners did not have to pay in benefits because 2010 was a year in which there was no salary cap. The absence of benefits payments was a provision of the last collective-bargaining agreement, but players want that money as part of the settlement that also would include the resolution of an antitrust case and a television-damages case.
Players could also seek a rule that would limit how often the franchise tag can be used, either on all players or only the plaintiffs in the antitrust suit against the league.
With the federal mediator, Judge Arthur Boylan, rejoining talks in New York, the last issues are expected to be smoothed out by Wednesday. Benefits for retired players are to be discussed Tuesday.
Both parties are meeting on Monday at a Manhattan law firm to try and finalize an agreement to get NFL players back on the field.
The court-appointed mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, is expected to arrive in New York later Monday to oversee talks aimed at ending the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.
The owners have a special meeting set for Thursday in Atlanta, where they potentially could ratify a new deal -- if one is reached by then. Any agreement also must be voted on by groups of players, including the named plaintiffs in a federal antitrust suit against the league, and the NFLPA's 32 team representatives.
Resolution of the proposed deal could open in training camps on time, meaning no delay to the start of the 2011 season and no loss of tickets for season-ticket holders. The first scheduled preseason game between the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams is Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio.
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