NEW YORK (AP) - Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller and lawyers for retired NFL players are meeting with representatives of owners and current players at a New York law firm for talks aimed at ending the lockout.
The court-appointed mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, is also at Tuesday's session, as the sides attempt to close a deal to resolve the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.
Owners are set to be in Atlanta on Thursday, when they could ratify a new agreement -- if there is one in place. Executives from all 32 teams then would be briefed there Thursday and Friday on how the terms would affect league business.
Any tentative agreement also must be approved by players, including Tom Brady and other plaintiffs in a pending antitrust suit against the NFL. Players are meeting in Washington.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
