The Washington Post on Tuesday said the two sides were meeting outside the nation’s capital with another meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The paper also cited sources on both sides as saying if progress is made this week, owners could vote on a proposed deal next week at a scheduled meeting in Chicago.
However, the Post also said that many on both sides see that scenario as unlikely and added that there are others who believe a deal remains less than certain while others think an agreement could be reached by early July.
Owners are slated to meet next Tuesday and various reports indicate that the league has instructed teams to be prepared to stay overnight in Chicago for the purpose of a potential lengthy debate.
This week’s “secret” meetings, the third in as many weeks, are continuing as both sides await a decision from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on the legality of the lockout.
The lockout began March 12 after talks toward a new collective bargaining agreement broke down and the players’ association decertified. High-profile quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees were then among the plaintiffs in litigation filed against the NFL and all 32 of its teams.
A judge in Minneapolis ruled against the owners and lifted the lockout in late April. That led to an appeal by owners and a permanent stay of lower court’s order by the Eighth Circuit in May, which reinstated the lockout.
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