NFL, union hold first session with federal mediator

WASHINGTON (AP) — The contentious NFL labor negotiations went in front of a federal mediator today, two weeks before owners could impose a lockout on players and threaten the 2011 season.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, players' union executive director DeMaurice Smith and their bargaining teams arrived at the Washington office of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shortly before 11 a.m. It was not known how long the meeting would last.

Goodell was accompanied by NFL outside counsel Bob Batterman and the league's lead labor negotiator, Jeff Pash. No team owners were seen entering the building. About 15 minutes after Goodell showed up, Smith walked in, joined by union lawyer Richard Berthelsen, Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch and former player Jim McFarland, a member of the NFL Players Association's executive committee.

Goodell and Smith declined comment on their way into the meeting with George H. Cohen, the director of the FMCS, an independent U.S. government agency.

"We're going to participate fully, and we look forward to working with Mr. Cohen," Pash told The Associated Press.