NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, left, and NFL football Commissioner Roger Goodell take part in a news conference at the NFL Players Association in Washington, Monday, July 25, 2011. (AP Photo)
Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Rusty Smith, left, and Brett Ratliff, right, work out as the Father Ryan High School football team practices behind them on Thursday, July 21, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo)WASHINGTON (AP) - The NFL Players Association executive board and 32 team reps have voted unanimously to approve the terms of a deal to the end the 4 1/2-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.
Owners decided in 2008 to opt out of the league's old labor contract, which expired this March. That's when the owners locked out the players, creating the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.
For Nashville, the stakes are high. Each home game means $20 million to local hotels, bars and restaurants. The season pumps in $160 million dollars to the Tennessee economy. If a deal with players isn't reached, millions of dollars will be lost and jobs could be on the line.
The league's old labor deal expired in March, and the owners locked out the players, the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.
(NewsChannel 5 and the Associated Press.)
