Goodell, Smith in Minn. to negotiate
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith took their new buddy act on the road Wednesday, creating a buzz among rookies in Florida then returning to Minnesota for talks to try and end pro football's labor impasse.
The NFL commissioner and the players' boss took questions from rookies at an orientation symposium in Sarasota, Fla., where recent draft picks were glad - and relieved - to see their two surprise guests.
"Guys are hurting for money right now," said quarterback Christian Ponder, a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings. "It's a crazy time, especially with the uncertainty of when we're going to start and get some money in our pocket."
"It's big for them to come together. I thought that was pretty cool," he said. "It looks like they have a pretty good relationship."
Smith and Goodell certainly seem closer than when the lockout began in March. Whether that will translate into a new collective bargaining agreement is the big question. Training camps are scheduled to open in just over three weeks with the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7.
NBA heads to CBA deadline day
NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA is headed to deadline day, with perhaps one last chance to avoid a lockout.
Negotiators for owners and players will meet Thursday, about 12 hours before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement and seemingly nowhere close to a deal.
The sides remain far apart on just about every major issue, from salaries to the salary cap, revenues to revenue sharing.
After meeting twice a week for most of the month, this is the only session scheduled this week. The two sides could continue bargaining past the deadline, but that probably requires owners to see evidence of the gap narrowing Thursday.
Otherwise, they could lock out the players for the first time since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games, though Commissioner David Stern has refused to say what would happen if a deal is not done today.