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WASHINGTON — The tension and stakes rose in the NFL labor talks with only a day left before the twice-extended collective bargaining agreement expires, increasing the possibility of the league losing games to a work stoppage for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
With the two sides far apart on key economic issues, nine of the 10 members of the owners’ labor committee joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday at the office of the federal mediator overseeing the talks — but, the union said, none of the owners met with any players.
Even though there were small-group negotiations between NFL and union representatives, no one gave any indication that progress was made. Indeed, the loudest words came in the evening, during a series of back-and-forth barbs sparked by league general counsel and lead negotiator Jeff Pash’s comments.
“Things can come together quickly. Things can fall apart quickly,” Pash said. “I’ve said it many times: If both sides have an equal commitment to getting this deal done, it will get done. I don’t know if both sides have an equal commitment. … Obviously, we have the commitment.”
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith went back to the mediator’s office to respond.
“We have been committed to this process. But for anyone to stand and turn to the American people and say they question that? Look, I understand that there’s probably some things Jeff Pash just has to say, but this is the truth: We know that as early as March of 2009 … the National Football League engaged in a strategy to get $4 billion of television money … even if the games weren’t played.”