One NFL owner believes deal is possible

Associated Press

CHICAGO

For now, optimism is the approach for NFL owners in negotiations with the players on a new collective bargaining agreement.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday it’s a realistic goal to reach a new CBA before the end of the season. At the conclusion of the league’s fall meetings, Kraft said “we’re moving ahead. I’d like to see this get done before the season ends.” Asked if that was a realistic objective, he added “to me it is.”

Even as the 32 owners were discussing strategies for negotiations with the NFL Players Association and the possibility of a work stoppage, many of them were expressing confidence that pro football is not headed for a lockout. The CBA expires in March, and union officials steadfastly claim they expect to be locked out if a new deal isn’t reached.

“It’s taken a lot of time and energy to build the league into what it is and we want to keep it going,” Colts owner Jimmy Irsay said Tuesday. “I don’t think it’s doomsday, and we’re taking it a day at a time. Everybody is engaged and from my perspective, the key thing is to find a solution. That’s where both sides are.

“I know that energy [to reach a deal] will be there.”

Added Commissioner Roger Goodell: “Our issue is to get there sooner rather than later, bargaining in good faith and get an agreement with the players that is fair.”

NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, who recently retired after a 16-year playing career, also called for an early agreement.

“We should recognize the business we are both in and for our fans and workers, let’s wrap this up by the holidays,” Mawae told The Associated Press in an e-mail. “I agree on both time and energy. Since 2006, the players contributed almost $3 billion to stadium construction and improvements, so our investment is at risk, too. The players are the ones losing their health care, and yet it was the owners who opted out of this deal and are threatening a lockout.”

Also, Goodell said there’s no timetable for wrapping up an investigation of an Internet report that said Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sent racy text messages and lewd photos to a former New York Jets game hostess.