End to NFL Lockout as NFL Players Association Finally Reach Agreement

The NFL Players Association has told ESPN they have reached agreement on the remaining points needed in their 10-year labor deal.  On Thursday, the NFL owners unanimously signed off on the deal but have been awaiting the NFL Players Association approval. 

A major press conference is scheduled for some time on Monday (July 25)

The timeline, according to an ESPN.com source:

• Monday: NFLPA's executive committee votes whether to recommend approval of the CBA approved by owners on Thursday. Then, a player rep from each of the 32 teams votes whether to recommend approval of the CBA.

• Wednesday: Players from some teams report to facilities and vote whether to recertify the NFLPA as a union and accept the proposed CBA.

If the NFLPA has gotten the necessary votes, teams can also start contract talks with their own players, including free agents and draft choices.

• Friday: The remaining players report and vote whether to approve recertification and the CBA. If the NFLPA then receives the necessary 50-percent-plus-one-vote majority in approval, then it recertifies as a union.

• Saturday: Free agency starts and teams can officially sign players.

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com