WASHINGTON (AP) — The NFL Players Association executive
board and 32 team reps voted unanimously Monday to approve the terms of a
deal with owners to the end the 4½-month lockout.
Owners
overwhelmingly approved a proposal last week, but some unresolved issues
still needed to be reviewed to satisfy players; the owners do not need
to vote again.
The sides worked through the weekend and wrapped up
the details Monday morning on a final pact that is for 10 years,
without an opt-out clause, a person familiar with the deal told the AP
on condition of anonymity.
Owners decided in 2008 to opt out of
the league’s old labor contract, which expired March 11. That’s when the
owners locked out the players, creating the NFL’s first work stoppage
since 1987.
NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith stepped outside of the
group’s headquarters in Washington at about 2 p.m. to announce that
players approved the pact.
"I know it has been a very long process
since the day we stood here that night in March," Smith said. "But our
guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back
because of it."
As he spoke, Smith was flanked by NFLPA president
Kevin Mawae, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Colts center Jeff Saturday
and Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth, key members of the
players’ negotiating team. Brees is one of 10 plaintiffs in the
antitrust lawsuit that players filed against the league.
Moments
later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walked into the building, joined
by owners Bob Kraft of the New England Patriots, John Mara of the New
York Giants and Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers.
"I believe it’s important that we talk about the future of football as a partnership," Smith
said.
A
tentative timeline would allow NFL clubs to start signing 2011 draft
picks and rookie free agents on Tuesday. Conversations with veteran free
agents also could start Tuesday, and their signings could begin Friday.
Under
the proposed schedule, training camps would open for 10 of the 32 teams
on Wednesday, 10 more on Thursday, another 10 on Friday, and the last
two teams on Sunday.
Both sides set up informational conference
calls for Monday afternoon to go over the details of the agreement. The
NFLPA told player agents they would be coached in particular on the
guidelines and schedule for signing free agents and rookies; the NFL
alerted general managers and coaches they would be briefed in separate
calls.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.