NFL Lockout Officially Over

Finally, the news NFL fans have been waiting to here. After months of negotiations, various setbacks and false hope, the lockout is over. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that the players voted to OK a deal that had been previously approved by the owners, stating simply that "football is back."

The lockout lasted roughly four and a half months, marking the longest work-stoppage in the league's history. While both sides were forced to make sacrifices, the owners and players decided on what appears to be a good deal for all parties. The owners got a higher percentage of league revenue, while the players made sure teams will spend almost all of their cap space and received some improved safety regulations.

Technically, teams will be able to make trades and talk to veteran free agents tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., however players cannot sign with a new team until Friday. The Chiefs will report to training camp on Thursday.

NFL Eyes July 21 As Potential End Of Lockout

Sources indicate that the NFL and NFL Players Association are nearing a deal that would bring an end to the 2011 lockout. The common belief is that a deal will be in place and will be ratified during the July 21 league meetings.

Other sources believe that a deal will be reached between the NFL and NFLPA during the next week or so. One of the owners who has been present during the talks has been quoted as saying there is "no reason to believe it won't get done."

Despite a possible finish line in sight, there are still several key issues that the NFL and NFLPA must workout before a deal can be reached. One subject that could prolong the negotiations is that of rookie salaries and contracts. If an agreement is reached on July 21, every team will be able to play all of its preseason games. The only game that would be in danger of being canceled is the Hall of Fame Game on August 7.

Courts Rule in Favor of NFL, Deem Lockout Legal

Earlier this week, it appeared that the NFL lockout may soon be coming to an end. While negotiations have continued this week in New York, the 8th curcuit courts recently ruled in favor of the NFL, deeming that the lockout is indeed legal.

The decision came fresh off the news that Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith have started a second day of negotiations in New York. The ruling was not a surprise to both the owners and the players, as previous court decisions have often ended the same way regarding cases similar to the 2011 lockout.

While the news caught both the players and owners off guard, the ruling is not expected to be a factor in the present negotiations. Sources say that both parties feel an agreement is close to being reached, although we still do not know when that will be. While an agreement for how the revenue split should be settled appears close, there is still a lot of work to be done in regards to the new free agency rules. Progress is being made, but it appears that a decision is likely a few weeks away.

NFL Lockout May End Soon

The NFL owners and the NFL Players Association continued their talks today in New York in hopes of ending the lockout, however there has been a great deal of optimism surrounding these discussions. Reports indicate that the lawyers on both sides are meeting to discuss the language of a potential agreement, which indicates the lockout could end soon.

While there is still a lot of work to be done, sources believe that an agreement is within reach, however this would likely not be completed until next week at the earliest. Today marks the 112 day of the lockout.

In similar news, the NFL hall of fame announced that it still plans on hosting the league's first preseason game on August 7 between the Bears and Rams. To make the August 7 date, both teams would likely need to begin training camp sometime in the next two weeks. Despite the small window of time, both the Bears and Rams have told the hall of fame they plan on participating.

NFL Prepares for 8 Game Season

With the NFL lockout in full swing and no end in sight, the league's officials have begun planning an alternative eight game schedule for the 2011 regular season. The NFL has not had a shortened season since 1987 - the last time the league suffered a work stoppage.

The league's current plan for this new eight game format is to have games start in November; if a settlement occured in October, the league would still have time for a free agency period, training camp and eight games. The league took previous measures to prepare for a late start, designing a schedule that could drop bye weeks and the week before the superbowl and still play all 16 games.

It remains unknown how this shortened season would play out. It remains likely that teams will still play all six interdivision games, and the remaining two games would be decided later. This format obviously helps teams in a weak division tremendously.

The league remains adamant that its focus is on a full 16 game regular season, but it isn't a bad idea to start drawing up a plan B. After all, some football is better than no football.

Judge Ends NFL Lockout

U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson ruled in favor of the NFL players yesterday, ending the lockout. While this was a huge victory for the players in their war with NFL owners on how to split over $9 billion in revenue, there is still no promise for an NFL season in 2011. NFL owners plan on appealing Judge Nelson's ruling.

Nelson's ruling wasn't much of a surprise - players have historically come out better anytime they have battled a group of owners in court over a labor dispute. Nelson ruled that players will be harshly affected by a lockout, and that many already are feeling the effects from the work stoppage.

The NFL players had slowly gained the upper hand throughout the lockout process, and Judge Nelson's ruling only gave the side more power. There is still a lot of legal anecdotes to work out, but this ruling has to make fans more optimistic that NFL football will be played in 2011. What comes out of the owners' appeal will likely be a sign to how close (or far away) this is from being over.