NFL, players near deal on rookie contracts

In what could be the final breakthrough needed for a new collective-bargaining agreement and the go-ahead for the NFL season, negotiators for the league and the players are close to agreeing on a new system governing rookie contracts. That issue had been considered the last major hurdle to clear for a new CBA.

"We can see from here," a person directly involved in the talks told Newsday last night. "Not there just yet."

But the parameters of the rookie deal appear to be complete, including the ability of rookies at the top end of the draft to sign four-year deals that include an option for a fifth year.

The league locked out players for the last 121 days, but after a productive day of negotiations Thursday in New York, officials on both sides of the table indicated that a CBA is within reach. A deal could be announced within the next few days, perhaps even Friday, although there could be some technical issues to be resolved before an agreement is made official.

"I would have said no , but now it may be possible," said a person who has been briefed on the negotiations.

Ten members of the NFL's 12-owner negotiating team were at yesterday's talks, which lasted into the evening.

"We have not had this many owners in one spot for labor talks since March 11," said a person involved in the talks, a reference to the date when talks in Washington broke down and led to the lockout the next day.

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There is still the issue of settling antitrust litigation filed by several high-profile players, including quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. As part of the CBA, there would have to be a settlement approved by District Court Judge Susan Nelson. The two sides are set to meet Tuesday with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, whom Nelson appointed to act as a mediator. Boylan has told both sides to be prepared for full settlement discussions.

The hope among owners is that they can bring a deal for a vote by all 32 teams Thursday in Atlanta.

The NFL management council's executive committee has a regularly scheduled meeting Friday in New York, at which an update on the negotiations will be provided. At least 24 of the 32 owners must approve a deal, and the players must re-form their union to hold a vote. The NFL Players Association decertified as a union March 11, then filed the antitrust suit against the league.

A potential holdup may involve a timing issue associated with the settlement. A source familiar with the situation told Newsday that player representatives are asking that the deal be termed a "class-action settlement" before the NFLPA declares itself a union again. After that, the deal would become a collective-bargaining agreement.

The thinking behind calling it a class-action settlement is that it would show players that the litigation strategy helped lead to a better deal than if the players had continued negotiations and not sued the league.