NFL, Players Locked Out For Now Conclude Discussions

Minneapolis (AP)-The four sessions long and intense mediation between the NFL and its players locked out, the judge decided to give both sides a long pause.

When they meet in mid-May, the view of the discussions could be completely different.

The executive vice president Jeff Pash, the NFL's chief negotiator, said Wednesday that U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan said the two sides, which probably will not meet again until May 16 because some questions about his judicial calendar.

Meanwhile, the U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide before the players, a request to immediately lift the blockade now 40 days old.

Also to come: District Judge David Doty has scheduled a hearing for May 12 at the request of the players of the damage after it failed in March that the NFL does not maximize revenue for both parties when it renegotiated $ 4 billion in contracts TV with potential labor dispute.

Finally, there may be a fourth group of lawyers and the players in the mediation table, with a law firm in Philadelphia to talk with another group of players to join the fight.

"We had some discussions are other players who want to make their voices matter," said Bryan Clobes Faucher and Cafferty.

These discussions are ongoing, but all these elements combined can tip the lever on one side or the other where there was little of it, perhaps increase the chances of mediation ordered by the court will produce much needed progress in the preseason game first just 3 1 / 2 months.

"There are a lot of uncertainty right now," said Pash. "I think when we're together again we'll know more. Popular legal position will be clearer."

Both parties stated that the meeting was positive and productive Boylan.

"I believe that everything was considered useful and is really where we are," said Jim Quinn, a lawyer for the players.

Hall of Famer Carl Eller agreed.

"I feel very positive 2011 season," said Eller. "I believe that everything that came here 2011 season and the idea is not only easy to get to this point. So I think that everyone has worked in this direction. Watching them work for what makes me feel much more optimistic. I certainly say we are going to have a season 2011. "

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will begin the season despite a long period of navigating the legal system.

"We planned to play all season and we negotiate as hard as you can get that done," said Goodell subscribers the Giants' a break during a mediation session conference call to the Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis.

Later, he reiterated this commitment in a forum with the fan 49's, said "a number of pressing issues that must be addressed responsibly."

"This has a negative impact on everyone, especially our fans," Goodell said of the lockout. "We have to get these things fixed right away. We believe there is plenty of time to get there. On behalf of the 32 clubs, we will do everything we can to ensure our full season play this year. "

Goodell, Packers CEO Mark Murphy, president and Falcons, Rich McKay owners Pat Bowlen of Denver, Jerry Jones of Dallas and Jerry Richardson of Carolina attended Wednesday's session. Players Ben Leber  and Mike Vrabel joined Eller and lawyers for the players.

Goodell said all parties remain committed to ending a work stoppage in the NFL first time since 1987, before the game is lost. Preseason begins August 7 and the first regular season game is scheduled for September 8, less than five months from now.

"I think the fans want solutions. I want solutions," he said. "I think players want solutions and I think teams want solutions. Therefore we have to work on that in the negotiations and find a way to get to this point."

Players like MVP quarterback Tom Brady and Peyton Manning (white) filed for an injunction and a class action antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit was combined with two other similar requests for retirees, former players and recruits to be, with the lead plaintiff in this group Eller.

Nelson ordered the parties to mediation, while it considered the request, and they met after 16 days Boylan does not speak in front of a federal mediator in Washington.

"I think you can not sort this as a table of stock in what is happening up and down on a given day, but it is always good to be able to converse with humans," Pash said.

Pash said he felt the negotiations were very fruitful in the league and retired players and the owners are committed to improving the performance and care of their former players.

The league and players disagree sharply on how to allocate more than $ 9 billion in annual revenue.

The owners originally wanted double the money than go to cost about $ 1 billion to about $ 2 billion, but fell during the first round of mediation. The players have requested that all financial information on all 32 teams, and so far the league has not opened its books to your liking.

Other important issues for the players understand the benefits of retirees and the desire to extend the NFL regular season 16-18 games. NFL wants also decreased by nearly 60 percent of the guaranteed wage to draft first-round pick, the block for five years and divert the savings to pay and veterans benefits.

More than 525 million dollars U.S. for the first round of guaranteed payments in 2010. The league wants to reduce this figure of 300 million, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

In other news, The Sports Business Journal Wednesday that a group of about 70 "mid-tier" players had to hire a law firm and dismay that the negotiations broke down last month. But Clobes said the number is "far from the 70" and does not indicate any dissatisfaction with how things are progressing.

"The players have a very skilled lawyer," said CLOB. "If we were to get involved, it would, so we can add and bring our expertise, not because we thought that prosecutors do not make a credible job. They do an incredible job. "

Faucher Cafferty also represents clients before the former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon of the class-action lawsuit against the NCAA and the sale of use of its resemblance to other athletes in video games and other media.

DeMauro Smith, head of the players union, said he was not aware of the development. Vrabel said he has not heard a report, either, but more than the players "is not a place (the table), with Ben and me."

AP Sports Writers Tom Canavan and Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

Giants-Redskins, Cowboys-Jets To Play On September 11

NEW YORK (AP)-The New York Giants visit the Washington Redskins and New York Jets will host the Dallas Cowboys Sept. 11, marking the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

With the NFL and its players locked out mired in negotiations over a new collective agreement, announced Tuesday the league's 2011-12 schedule, provided that the season starts on time.

The regular season begins on Thursday, September 8 at night, when the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

The first Sunday of several high-profile games, including Atlanta and Houston Indianapolis Chicago. But a lot of national attention on Washington and New York, two cities 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.

"This stadium will be full of emotion, not just the people of the region, but throughout the country," said Jets coach, Rex Ryan, who is confronted with his brother, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "That is the 10 th anniversary of 9 / 11, where the focus should be, not me playing against my brother."

The Redskins and Giants kick off at 04:15 local time (2115 GMT), with the Jets and the Cowboys at 20:20

"For almost 10 years, we felt obliged to use the platform to ensure that none of us will ever forget the tragedy and suffering and the courage and heroism of September 11," Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said. "The responsibility is even greater."

Pittsburgh is the third largest city in the NFL most affected by the terrorist attacks on Flight 93 crashed after 80 miles near Shanksville, Pa. The Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens Sept. 11.

New England went to Miami and Oakland visits Denver for the opening night Monday.

The last Sunday of the regular season falls on New Year's Day, when all 16 games are scheduled between the division rivals, the strengthening of the possible ramifications in the playoffs.

The regular season includes 17 weeks of the opening round of playoffs is scheduled for January 7-8 and the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

NFL has expressed a desire to stretch the season to 18 games, one of the nodes in the contentious battle between owners and players on a new collective agreement.

The two sides resumed mediation ordered by the court on Tuesday in Minneapolis, the decision of a federal judge is expected soon on a request to immediately stop the blockade.

Both parties have spent 16 days immersed in the mediation talks in Washington without reaching an agreement, leading a class action antitrust lawsuits filed by players against the NFL and the decision of the League of work first time since 1987 . They recently spent about 20 hours over three days of meetings in Minneapolis, with more talks scheduled for Wednesday.

In a statement announcing the schedule of upcoming NFL season was not all eventualities if negotiations on a new collective agreement last fall.

"I'm confident we'll have a season," said Rex Ryan on Tuesday night. "We will be ready to play. Whenever they say, 'OK, we're going back to work, "we will be ready to play."

Other highlights of the schedule, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Chicago Bears at Wembley Stadium on October 23, one of two games outside the United States and the fifth consecutive year, the NFL played a regular season game in London.

Bucs defeated the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in 2009, when the bears are marked 25th anniversary of their preseason game against the Cowboys in London.

Buffalo Bills playing in Canada is the fourth consecutive season when they host the Redskins at the Rogers Centre in Toronto in October 1930. Invoices must be treated with Rogers Communications, 2012, and will play five games in the regular season of Canada's largest city.

Thanksgiving Day games have the Packers in Detroit, Dallas and Miami to San Francisco at Baltimore, when the 49ers face the new coach Jim Harbaugh and the Ravens coach John Harbaugh is the first meeting between brother coaches in NFL history.

Packers play the Bears in the game only on Christmas Day. There are 13 games scheduled for Dec. 24, including the Giants against the Jets.

NFL will again use the "flexible scheduling" for weeks 10-15 and the final week of the regular season, so the league to move the start times for certain games.

AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. in New York, Tom Canavan in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

Day 2 Of The Mediation Ends NFL, Talks Resume Tuesday

Minneapolis (AP)-Negotiators for the NFL and its players locked out wrapped another day in court has ordered the talks on Friday with no sign of significant progress. They intend to sit again next week.

The parties have left the federal court in Minneapolis in about four hours of talks after nine hours of meetings on Thursday. They will meet again on Tuesday.

Hall of Famer Carl Eller, representing the retired players of the competition for the continuation of the league, said he thinks the parties are "forward", but the process "slowed down a little 'on Friday.

"There is progress, but it was as if we were just around the corner," said Eller. "We could resolve whether he had met over the weekend, but maybe not."

U.S. Judge Judge Arthur Boylan, who controls the sessions provides some homework over the weekend that Michael Hausfeld, a lawyer for the players.

"The judge asked us to give answers to questions about a half dozen asked," Hausfeld said, without elaborating. "There are a lot of work."

With the 2011 season in jeopardy, Boylan is the monitoring of the round after 16 days of mediation in Washington did not get a new labor pact.

"We need to be productive," said Eller. "We've got to come out with something here, and I think there is a sense of realism is part of the court. It's not just talk. It 'is not productive to talk."

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who ordered mediation is still considering a request for players to lift the lockout imposed by owners. After a hearing on April 6, she said she intended to rule on the injunction application in a few weeks, which would mean next week.

Players like MVP quarterback Tom Brady (notes) and Peyton Manning (notes) filed an application with an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The lawsuit was combined with two other similar requests for retirees, former players and recruits to be, with the lead plaintiff in this group Eller.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, four team owners and league executives and several lawyers have left the building without speaking to reporters. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, email, declined comment.

DeMaurice Smith, the NFL players association executive director, also declined to talk. He left the courthouse with lawyers and linebackers Ben Leber (notes) and Mike Vrabel (notes), two other plaintiffs in the antitrust action filed on March 11, when the last collective agreement expired, the union dissolved and lock- out began.

At least the mood seemed light.

Reporters visiting the closed meeting was greeted with smiles and farewell dealers and lawyers, they are gone. In a packed elevator on the way down the hall, needled by Smith Vrabel deadpanning members of the media, "Okay, seriously, Mike will have an explanation. Are you ready?"

Silence.

Then laughter.

stop work before the 1987 NFL strike, of course, is not a joke or half-especially the fans who pay to stay in a place of sparkling new stadiums, buy replica jerseys to show their support and watch the games out of television market satellite.

"I am a fan, too," Eller said earlier this week. "We want to ease your mind. We can not tell you the result, but we are very keen to have a football season."

It is a goal shared by both parties. With the dispute now in the court, public relations is an important part of the effort of each side through press releases, links and comments on Twitter, and report directly to the public in the effort to pass the message.

"We want to make sure that we have the football, and on it," Goodell said in a conference call this week, the Cleveland Browns subscribers.

Smith said after April 6 court hearing of Nelson: "Keep cheering on the players and keep rooting for football."

Spin and the rhetoric has been intense at times of the two corners, but Aiello said the league does not consider this as a public relations battle with the players.

"Our mission is to keep fans of" Aiello said. "This is what we do in that situation."

George Atallah NFLPA spokesman did not return messages this week.

Players have a website, nfllockout.com, highlighting the efforts of community outreach and charitable players and includes discussion points on their side.

The nfllabor.com site of the NFL, is a similar version for the league. The chief negotiator Jeff Pash recently wrote an opinion column in the Chicago Tribune, noting the grant of the NFL gave a list of the highlights of their last offer before talks broke down.

Eller sounded optimistic, not only for development but the possibility of representing his fellow players retired, who have called for better care and treatment in the league for years.

"We do not drive it. We need both," Eller said, referring to the players and the owners of the league. "We need to depend on both. It is not an either-or situation for us. ..

"What I want pensioners to understand is that we are carving a unique situation. ... We are on the table, and I think that's something you should be able to rejoice at an early stage, because we do here will be a big step. "

NFL Rookie Pitch: 300m Away From The First Rounders

NEW YORK (AP)-The NFL wants to cut about 60 percent of salary guaranteed draft pick of the first round the block for five years and divert the savings to Veterans' salaries and benefits.

More than 525 million for the first round of payouts in 2010. The league wants to reduce this figure of $ 300 million, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Tenders League have made a total of over 1.2 billion four years until 2015-37500000 overalls per team and curb the growth of guarantee payments in the first round, which show the documents have increased by 233 percent from 2 to 1000

This drops as quarterback JaMarcus Russell ($ 32,000,000), Matt Leinart ($ 12,900,000), David Carr  ($ 15,000,000) and Joey Harrington  ($ 13,900,000 ) has been plenty of guaranteed payments were $ 367,000,000 in the last 10 projects.

Sure, Eli Manning  (24 million), Philip Rivers  (17.9 million) and Matt Ryan  (34.7 million) has not done too badly for their team .

It is guaranteed the money poured into the top 10 selections from 2000 was nearly $ 2 billion. Guaranteed payment of all first rounders 3.5 billion U.S. dollars. Average duration of the career of the first round pick in 1993 after 9.3 years.

Eagles president Joe Banner said the initial objective of the proposal is jeopardized by the costs associated with signing of top picks.

"The concept of the project and the order of the peaks is to maintain competitive balance in the league," said the flag. "Now, take high-level teams that have become so expensive and there is a risk that can fail, and makes the ability to trade in and out of these places almost impossible. It can be a disadvantage to be in one of the top. "

The owners, of course, are the ones offering the huge guaranteed bonuses.

During talks for a new collective bargaining agreement, the league also proposed eliminating holdouts by reducing the maximum allowable salary if a rookie isn’t signed when training camp begins. The NFL also suggested eliminating holdouts for all veterans by prohibiting renegotiations of contracts if a player holds out in the preseason.

The payment system does not include a rookie pay scale and allow negotiations of individual contracts. Contracts have a fixed length of four years for players selected in the second through seventh rounds, and will not affect salary for these rounds, the league said.

"From a standpoint of fairness to perform this simple concept should be that players who contribute the most in the league should get more money," said Banner. "What this system does is to ensure the well-NFL players and bringing the fans and the TV guide (rating) will receive the money went to players who turned out to be not so good. And it is good for everyone."

NFL Players Association were not immediately available for comment.

Several officials said the proposals to impose unfair restrictions on players entering the league.

"Five and a reduced salary is basically gamers limits," said Ben Dogra, whose clients include Patrick Willis and Sam Bradford . "Approximately 68 percent of NFL players consists of five years or less experience in the NFL.

"Even players essentially take 11 to 32 in the first round of financial affairs are good for the teams. If a player becomes an input or an integral part of the team with the current system, NFL teams have the Rookie of an agreement that is favorable for the team. "

Peter Schaffer, who represents Joshua Cribbs (notes) and Hakeem Nicks (notes), this system is called "reconnaissance teams, insurance bad choices project up.

"It also makes it more valuable recruits when you reduce the amount you pay for the youth," said Schaffer. "This will eliminate the middle class because veteran teams can have young players who earn less and are under contract."

Changed the pay system has been the negotiation of a new entrant to the CBA until negotiations broke down on 11 March and the NFLPA union dissolved. The owners locked the players an hour later.

The parties were designed for the judicial mediation office in Minneapolis, starting Thursday.

The Legal Team Of NFL Players Meet With The Judge

Minneapolis (AP)-With the lockout at one month and counting, sat lawyers for NFL players to Tuesday, with the federal judge overseeing the court ordered mediation in the league later this week.

Lawyers and Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Or met with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan for about four hours.

Boylan was "very open" and "was a very constructive meeting," said Michael Hausfeld, lead attorney representing Eller and a group of players withdrew most of its antitrust lawsuit against the owners. Other lawyers have declined comment.

The meeting took place the same day as the NFL has released its 2011 preseason schedule, led by Hall of Fame game between Chicago and St. Louis to Canton, Ohio, Aug. 7.

That game will take place remains an open question. The attorneys will meet with NFL Boylan on Wednesday before the mediation begins on Thursday the first talks since negotiations have failed on March 11, followed hours later by a work stoppage in the NFL since 1987.

Boylan has a reputation as problem solver, but what you can get more than two weeks left mediated talks in Washington last month, remains to be seen. He is a judge since 1996 and chaired a series of mediations, including the $ 195,000,000 settlement between Boston Scientific and about 4000 calls with cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers made by Guidant Corp. in 2007.

It will be at its best in this meeting, because the animosity between the two sides has grown increasingly bitter as the dispute reached the court.

"If the parties prefer to take their shot in the dispute, you can do to stay there forever and will not be another result," said Seth Borden, a labor law expert at McKenna Long & Aldridge in New York.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on Monday ordered mediation. Nelson is still considering an application for an injunction to lift the players' lockout imposed by owners after the players their union dissolved, paving the way for the game right. Players including MVP quarterback Tom Brady (notes) and Peyton Manning (notes) filed the application for injunction in Federal Court here with a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the league.

Elders, including Eller, left his cause, and things are connected.

"What happened today was to mediate the broker to become smarter and attitudes plaintiffs or complainants Brady and understand their overlap, and their positions on various issues," Hausfeld said.

Nelson ordered both sides to keep details confidential mediation, urged both sides to "return to the table." NFL said it wanted to resume talks with federal mediator George Cohen in Washington after 16 days failure of collective bargaining, but the players wanted to hold mediation under the auspices of Nelson.

Nelson's decision as' an injunction could swing the weight in one way or another, so it is unclear how a party is willing to make a serious settlement discussions until its decision.

"Both sides want to go to this (settlement), balancing what they could carry out direct negotiations with the possibility of getting something worse possible if the judge is to decide," said Borden.