NFL, Union Resume Mediation for 4th Day in Row

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By HOWARD FENDRICH

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch emerged with a positive outlook Monday after attending a fourth consecutive day of federally mediated negotiations between the NFL and the players' union.

"Things are going well," said Batch, a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee. "We'll see how things progress over the coming days."

Batch and two other current players - Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson - left Monday at 5 p.m., about six hours after the session began at the office of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. That U.S. government agency's director, George Cohen, has been mediating the current round of talks.

The league and union agreed to try mediation after months of infrequent - and sometimes contentious - bargaining. The current labor deal expires at the end of the day March 3.



Read more: http://sports.excite.com/news/02212011/v3861.html

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FULL story at link.


Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, left, and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith walk to an NFL/NFLPA mediation session at Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service headquarters in Washington, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

[Arkana]

1. It would really, really suck if there was no football next year.

[Skink]

2. Football is much more fun to watch then other sports.

I think the profit sharing thing keeps all the teams competetive.