The NFL and NFLPA "want to try to get something done" in regards to a new CBA by July 15, when the "holdup in these negotiations could wind up costing them preseason games," according to Albert Breer of NFL Network. The two sides "want to have the cleanest negotiation they possibly can," and they have "given themselves time to do it." Breer: "Both sides view themselves being in about a 30-day window of opportunity to get something done now. I'm told that they will meet again next week and they'll continue to stack the meetings one after another all the way into mid-July and that’s great news because that means they're working towards that deadline” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 6/10). ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the middle of July “is the first artificial deadline, because if this deal is not done by that point, then you’re jeopardizing the first week of preseason games. If you lose those games than the revenue pie that each side will bite into shrinks that much more and becomes smaller” ("NFL Live," ESPN, 6/10). SportsBusiness Journal's Daniel Kaplan on Saturday reported on Twitter, "Told optimism is so high in NFL, players talks over labor deal that expectation is for a framework agreement in about two weeks" (TWITTER.com, 6/11).
WE CAN BUILD ON THIS: CBSSPORTS.com's Ryan Wilson noted for the first time since the lockout began, there "appears to be genuine optimism that owners, coaches, players and fans will be able to get on with their football-loving lives, and it could happen in the next few weeks." There are at least "five different sources reporting a variation on the 'things are looking really good' theme" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/11). In Cincinnati, Joe Reedy wrote, "For the first time in awhile we are optimistic that a deal can get done by the end of the month. Then again, it has to be done by the end of the month before there is a precipitous drop towards the quality of play this season" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/12). In Jacksonville, Vito Stellino noted owners and players last week "got the lawyers out of the room and stopped sniping at each other in public," and the "first glimmers of hope started to appear that the two sides could reach an agreement to save the season." Stellino added, "Still, at the end of the day, the season won't be saved unless the owners decide they can't get the whole loaf they want without missing games and settle for something less" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 6/12). The NFL in February projected a lockout would cost the league $120M, and NFL Exec VP/Business Operations Eric Grubman last week said, "Our actual losses are tracking pretty close to our estimate." Grubman said club seats and suites sales are a "couple of percent behind last year," as are ticket sales. But in N.Y., Gary Myers noted that is "money that could be made up, assuming fans renew when the lockout ends." With a "sense of urgency taking over -- five sessions in the last two weeks, more coming up this week -- a deal could get done by mid-July, which would then allow teams two weeks to sign free agents and rookies, and start training camp with the calendar not being disrupted" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/12).
BREAKING BREAD: SI.com's Peter King cites a source as saying the dinner last week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith is a "very good sign." The source: "Don't underestimate it." King notes Goodell and Smith "hadn't gotten much done between them in recent months, and it's been obvious to see that both have had problems with how the other has led his team." Talks between the two sides could "continue this week, somewhere," but "don't expect a resolution imminently." The CBA is "long and tedious, and each side is going over every sentence, even without the lawyers in-house." A source said, "It'd be a mistake to think it's certainly going to happen. There's a long way to go. But instead of people yelling at each other, trying to score debating points, now people are sitting down and talking to each other, trying to solve a very involved case. That's progress" (SI.com, 6/13). CBS NFL analyst Phil Simms yesterday said, "I've never thought for a second that the season would be not a complete one. ... In fact, now, I really believe it'll start on time. I believe training camp will start on time." He added, "I just don't think anybody associated with the NFL really wants this to turn into a really negative thought, because I've never seen a sport hotter than the league right now, in every aspect" (N.Y. POST, 6/13).
MARTIN SPEAKS HIS MIND: NFL Alumni Exec Dir George Martin yesterday "had strong words" for Smith, noting that he is "frustrated that he cannot get a meeting" with the NFLPA Exec Dir. Martin said, "When you don’t have a conversation with the recognized leader of the NFL alumni, how can you say you have the best interests of retired players at heart when you won’t even sit down and talk to their leadership. That to me flies in the face of that rationale." He added that Smith "has reneged on promises to meet." Martin: "I really resent the fact that that opportunity hasn’t been presented to me despite his pledge to do so. You have to be a man of your word. You have to have the integrity" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/13). More Martin: "I’ve made the request on countless occasions to have some interaction with him. The response has been either no response or no. That's really unacceptable" (NEWSDAY.com, 6/12). Conversely, Martin yesterday "praised NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for being proactive about addressing the concussion situation and helping retired players deal with any issues they may have." He said, "Thank goodness that we have had some welcome embrace by Roger Goodell and the current owners. We like the fact that we are part of the overall discussion. ... I think eventually the vast majority of retired ball players will be pleasantly surprised by what will come out of this (new) CBA" (ESPNNY.com, 6/12).
ABOUT MORE THAN FOOTBALL: In a special to the K.C. STAR, former NFLer Christian Okoye wrote, "Under the previous labor agreement, the league became the best it has ever been competitively and financially. Why are the owners messing with the success of the game and continuing to risk losing the goodwill of our fans by refusing to lift the lockout? But it’s not just the fans that are negatively affected by this lockout. The owners’ actions impact thousands of workers and businesses whose livelihood is directly linked to Sunday football" (K.C. STAR, 6/12).
TRYING TO STAY BUSY: In Ft. Lauderdale, Omar Kelly reported Charles Clay, the Dolphins' 6th round draft pick, has "been receiving day labor type work with a company called LPD." Clay is doing such tasks as "cutting grass at gas oil wells and doing odd jobs like cleaning the jacks to make ends meet." Due to the lockout, Clay has "no source of income" and has been put into "financial turmoil" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/11).
REPORTERS IN A BIND: In Ohio, Kyle Nagel wrote under the header, "NFL Lockout Coverage Is Boring, But Reporters Have Little Choice." Stories about "who organized what group of teammates to throw passes around or run gassers and the nuances of the NFL lockout court battle are enough to drive a football fan to dislike the sport." But there is "no choice" for the football media. Nagel: "Without actual NFL player or offseason move stories to write, the reporters are handcuffed into producing material that fans either find boring or too difficult to understand on a quick pass" (DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 6/12).
