Barbershop Buzz: Is the NFL back in business?
VIDEO - Could the NFL lockout finally be over? That is the word, according to several media outlets, who say that the four month lockout may finally end this week...
Could the NFL lockout finally be over? That is the word, according to several media outlets, who say that the four month lockout may finally end this week, if NFL representatives can come to an agreement on a new deal being presented.
The NFL Players Association, along with representatives from each team, will meet this week to vote on a possible end to the ongoing lockout. A global settlement would mean that all prior legal issues would be dropped if the players approve a new collective bargaining agreement.
If the agreement is ratified at the July 21st meeting in Atlanta, team executives would be briefed on the effects on league business, including rookie salaries and guidelines for player transactions, according to the Associated Press.
Back in March, NFL owners locked out players after being sued by them, claiming wage fixations and antitrust violations behind Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Both sides though are vehemently trying to reach a deal before they miss one or more rounds of preseason games, estimated to be worth up to $200 million in revenue per week.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he is more than willing to do whatever it takes to end the lockout this week and resume seasonal business over the weekend.
As optimistic as we are about the closure of this lockout and a beginning to the 2011-2012 season, we wanted to stop by the barbershop to see how the guys weighed in on the most popular U.S. sport.