NFL Lockout Progress to Finally Ramp Up by Thursday?

Progress in the NFL lockout has been extremely slow in the last few weeks, in spite of the massive strides made. But although both sides say progress has been made almost every day, a final deal has still been elusive. However, there will be few excuses if the lockout isn't over by Wednesday or Thursday, as Wednesday is alleged to be the day when something gets settled -- just in time for the owners to approve a new collective bargaining agreement by Thursday.

According to ESPN, one of the last major obstacles is a final settlement for the antitrust lawsuit filed by Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and other players. If all goes well, however, it will be settled by the end of the day, before the owners ratify a new CBA at their meetings Thursday. At that point, the rush to the new season would begin Friday, which includes an abbreviated training camp and free agency.

There have been many arbitrary deadlines set during the last month, as fans hoped the lockout would be settled by the Fourth of July, and then by Friday. But if no final progress is made by the end of this week, then the NFL will truly be in dire straits. After teasing everyone for days that it would all be over by Thursday or Friday, failure to do so would be the last indignity in this drama.

Even if there is no deal in the next 48 hours, having it drag on for too much longer beyond that might be a long shot. After all, the league already stands to lose hundreds of millions if the preseason is threatened, which has helped motivate both sides to get close to a settlement. With even more money threatened if the regular season is in trouble, it should be enough to eventually settle things before long.

However, despite the monetary motivation, reaching a final deal is still proving to be a slow process. In fact, it is almost fitting that things are still dragging on, given how ugly things have been. With all that has been threatened and the aggravation fans have been put through -- especially with all the recent teases -- perhaps a new agreement would be more surprising this week than more labor chaos.

Within 24-48 hours, all may be forgiven if everything is finally settled. But while everything would finally look up for the NFL in that scenario, stretching the lockout out any further would be a final insult, the last big statement about just how dysfunctional this dispute is. That is the fine line the league finds itself in: one step from salvation, and also one step from total embarrassment as well.

Pro football has a long way to go to solve its newfound image problem. But if it wants a good start, then decisive progress has to be made right now, as promised.

Sources

ESPN- "NFL must satisfy antitrust plaintiffs"