NFL, NFLPA Were Not Even Close To A Labor Deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top spokesman for NFL players says the union and league were not very close to agreeing to a new labor deal last week.
George Atallah said in a conference call with reporters Monday: "The perception is that we were really, really close. The reality is: We really, really weren't."
Negotiations broke off Friday. The union dissolved itself and players sued the league in federal court; owners imposed a lockout.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees says the owners' final proposal Friday "was all a show, with no real intent to get a deal done."
The two main sticking points: how much money owners would get up front before dividing the rest of $9 billion in annual revenues with players, and the union's demand for full financial disclosure.
