The NFL is back: Players vote to OK deal to end lockout

WASHINGTON - The NFL Players Association executive board and 32 team reps voted unanimously Monday to approve the terms of a deal with owners to the end the 4½-month lockout.

Owners overwhelmingly approved a proposal last week, but some unresolved issues still needed to be reviewed to satisfy players; the owners do not need to vote again.

The sides worked through the weekend and wrapped up the details Monday morning on a final pact that is for 10 years, without an opt-out clause, a person familiar with the deal told the AP on condition of anonymity.

Owners decided in 2008 to opt out of the league's old labor contract, which expired March 11. That's when the owners locked out the players, creating the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.

NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith stepped outside of the group's headquarters in Washington at about 2 p.m. to announce that players approved the pact.

"I know it has been a very long process since the day we stood here that night in March," Smith said. "But our guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back because of it."

As he spoke, Smith was flanked by NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Colts center Jeff Saturday and Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth, key members of the players' negotiating team. Brees is one of 10 plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit that players filed against the league.

Moments later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walked into the building, joined by owners Bob Kraft of the New England Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants and Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers.

"I believe it's important that we talk about the future of football as a partnership," Smith said.

A tentative timeline would allow NFL clubs to start signing 2011 draft picks and rookie free agents on Tuesday. Conversations with veteran free agents also could start Tuesday, and their signings could begin Friday.

Under the proposed schedule, training camps would open for 10 of the 32 teams on Wednesday, 10 more on Thursday, another 10 on Friday, and the last two teams on Sunday.

Both sides set up informational conference calls for Monday afternoon to go over the details of the agreement. The NFLPA told player agents they would be coached in particular on the guidelines and schedule for signing free agents and rookies; the NFL alerted general managers and coaches they would be briefed in separate calls.

Chronology of events

2008:

- NFL says it will opt out of collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association after the 2010-11 season, saying its costs are too high and it needs givebacks from the players. 2010 season will have no salary cap.

- Union leader Gene Upshaw dies in August.

2009:

- After six months without an executive director, the players elect Washington attorney DeMaurice Smith.

2010:

- No breakthroughs at negotiating table as season is played without salary cap.

2011:

- On Feb. 5, the league and players meet for short negotiations one day before Super Bowl in Dallas.

- On Feb. 18, federal mediator George Cohen begins working with the two sides in Washington.

- On March 1, U.S. District Judge David Doty rules the NFL's contracts with the TV networks to collect $4 billion even if no games are played in 2011 is "lockout insurance."

- On March 3, with the CBA due to expire at midnight, the two sides agree to extend the pact for another 24 hours.

- On March 4, the two sides agree to extend the CBA for another week.

- On March 11, talks collapse, the NFLPA decertifies and 10 players, including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, file an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL in federal court in Minneapolis.

- On March 12, the NFL locks out its players, shutting down operations. Communication between the teams and current players ceases and no players can be signed.

- On April 20, the two sides wrap up four days of court-ordered mediation in Minneapolis with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

- On April 25, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson issues an order lifting the lockout. NFL immediately appeals to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. In the following days, with varying success, players try to work out at team headquarters.

- On April 28, the NFL conducts its annual draft, with Carolina selecting Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as the No. 1 pick.

- On April 29, appeals court stays Nelson's order, and with the draft still in progress, NFL reinstates the lockout.

- On May 17, another round of talks with Boylan produces no significant progress.

- On June 2, the sides wrap up the first of weekly sets of negotiations that continue into July. Locations around the country: Chicago area, Maryland shore, near Boston, Minneapolis, New York.

- On June 3, in a courtroom packed with 200 people, attorneys for the players and owners argue before a panel of the 8th Circuit on the legality of the lockout.

- On July 8, with talks continuing in New York, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals throws out Nelson's order lifting the NFL lockout. The decision is a significant victory for the owners.

- On July 13, Brady, Manning and Brees issue a joint statement saying "it is time" to wind up negotiations and get a deal done.

- On July 21, NFL owners vote in favor of a tentative agreement to end the lockout, pending player approval. Players, however, do not vote on the proposal in a conference call later.

- On July 25, the NFLPA executive board and 32 team reps vote unanimously to approve the terms of a deal to end the 4½-month lockout.