WASHINGTON � Four hours of meetings Monday didn't result in a new collective bargaining agreement between NFL players and owners or comment from either side on the status of negotiations as they left the session within minutes of each other.
By Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images
NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks to news reporters after labor negotiations between players and owners Monday in Washington.
By Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images
NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks to news reporters after labor negotiations between players and owners Monday in Washington.
"Can't talk," said NFL Players Association counsel Richard Berthelsen as he left the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Meanwhile, the union contingent including Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth and retired Buffalo Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett exited through a rear entrance and into several sports utility vehicles without answering questions.
League officials, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, vice president/chief negotiator Jeff Pash as well as New York Giants owner John Mara and Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, also did not speak to news reporters. Mediator George Cohen declined comment after leaving from a side entrance.
ESPN reported that Cohen met individually with each side. The day began with the appearance of optimism as they entered the building following a weekend off. The two sides agreed to a seven-day extension Friday in hopes of averting the league's first work stoppage since 1987.
NFL officials walked in about 75 minutes before the meeting's 3 p.m. start, followed about an hour later by the union cluster led by executive director DeMaurice Smith, who asked reporters about their weekends as he walked through a revolving door.
Earlier in the day, NFLPA assistant executive director of external affairs George Atallah said on his Twitter account, "Appreciate fans and media sticking with us this week. Players will work their butts off ? same as past 2 years ? to get this done."
Both sides appeared serious after the session, one of the shortest since this round of negotiations began Feb. 28. There was no indication if or when mediation would resume Tuesday with four days remaining before the extension expires Friday.
The key issues remain the division of $9 billion in revenue, expanding the regular season from 16 to 18 games, a rookie wage scale and retirement benefits. Whether or not the owners would consider lowering their request for an additional $1 billion, players have been insistent on full financial disclosure, which ownership has been reluctant to do.
Without an agreement, players expect to be locked out the by owners. At the same time, the players association is expected to decertify as a union, which would allow players to pursue individual antitrust suits against the league.
"There are so many moving parts, so much that goes on," New Orleans Saints player rep Jon Stinchcomb told the Associated Press in New Orleans. "When you have these CBA negotiations, what we establish now will affect how we do business for years to come.
"It's more than just how to slash the pie. It's how you go to work, what your offseason will look like, benefits for former players, how protected are we when injuries come along."
Contributing: Gary Mihoces
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