Brady, Brees, Manning: Time for a deal
Tom Brady, above, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees say “it is time” for NFL owners and players to wrap up negotiations on a deal to end the league’s lockout. Credit: Getty Images
As day 120 of the NFL lockout passed Wednesday with negotiations resuming in New York, three prominent quarterbacks suing the league on antitrust grounds publicly urged the sides to find a resolution that will lead to a new collective-bargaining agreement.
Tom Brady of the Patriots, Peyton Manning (Colts) and Drew Brees (Saints), who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the league, released a statement expressing their hope that the lockout ends soon.
"We believe the overall proposal by the players is fair for both sides and it is time to get this deal done,'' the statement says. "This is the time of year we as players turn our attention to the game on the field. We hope the owners feel the same way.''
As part of any deal, the antitrust litigation must be settled. It sounds as if the quarterbacks are ready for that to happen, but only if they get a CBA that is to their liking. The statement said the players' proposal is fair, yet there is no mention of the owners' proposal.
In response, the NFL issued a statement saying: "We share the view that now is the time to reach an agreement so we can all get back to football and a full 2011 season.''
The quarterbacks' statement was released about the same time negotiators reconvened in Manhattan. Talks lasted nearly 11 hours until a dinner break around 8 p.m. "Long day,'' said NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, who declined to comment directly.
According to people familiar with the talks, the biggest remaining stumbling block is the rookie wage scale. Owners want to drastically reduce rookie salaries, particularly at the top of the draft. Players want to shorten the duration of some rookie contracts to let them cash in if they out-perform their deals.
Some league circles have expressed hope that a deal could be ratified as soon as owners meet in Atlanta next Thursday. The sides are scheduled for a mediation session Tuesday in Minneapolis before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.
With Cody Derespina
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