NEW YORK (AP) - Lawyers for the NFL and the players are meeting for two days to sort out paperwork that could speed the process in reaching a new labor contract.
A person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press that "the owners will not open the doors without a signed document in place." That makes the discussions Tuesday and Wednesday "important to get done."
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a judge has directed that details of the court-ordered mediated negotiations not be disclosed.
The 1993 collective bargaining agreement was slowed by the volume of paperwork.
On Thursday, Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith will resume meetings, with owners and players present.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
