NEW YORK - Reports indicate that a deal is close to being struck in the more than three-month old NFL lockout, just in time to save the season.
ESPN is reporting that the two sides are working on an agreement and are headed towards a settlement to end the now 121 day old NFL Lockout.
It's reported that the two sides have agreed on the much debated rookie wage scale and could have a deal in place shortly.
The two sides have been in intense negotiations for the last couple weeks and it was believed that the rookie pay scale was the last sticking point.
Both sides had put forth a goal to get a deal in place this week before the owners' meetings next week.
If the reports are correct, this should allow for an abbreviated free agency period and the start of all training camps on time in a couple of weeks. All games should be saved.
The owners will have an option for a fifth year on a rookie contract for a predetermined amount based on the player's performance during the previous years of the deal, according to people with knowledge of the discussions.
NFL owners and players are in their second straight day of lengthy negotiations, trying to resolve the impasse that has shut down the league for four months. They are expected to meet again Friday.
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
