Club Execs to Be Briefed Thursday If NFL Deal OK'd

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BARRY WILNER

The NFL told club executives they could be schooled in the ins and outs of the new labor contract as early as Thursday, and the players' association summoned its leadership for a potential vote - the strongest signs yet the lockout might be nearing an end.

Lawyers for both sides met Monday in New York, including 3½ hours with a court-appointed mediator, to try to close a deal to resolve the sport's first work stoppage since 1987. Talks were scheduled to continue Tuesday. Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith spoke to each other on the telephone Monday and planned to keep in regular contact.

"Nobody cheers for you at Mile 25 of a marathon. You still have to cross the finish line," NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said in Washington. "There still are things that can get you tripped up, and we're going to push through."

Owners are set to hold a special meeting in Atlanta on Thursday, when they could ratify a new agreement - if there is one. Executives from all 32 teams then would be briefed there Thursday and Friday on how the terms would affect league business, two people familiar with the plan told The Associated Press.

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