As the North Andover, Massachusetts Eagle-Tribune continues to cling to its story from last week that the lockout is “over” and/or “almost over,” a fairly well-known Boston resident reconfirms the notion that a resolution shouldn’t be expected in the immediate future.
Peter King of SI.com, in his weekly Monday Morning Quarterback column, provides a thorough update on the situation, explaining that a settlement is by no means imminent.
“It’d be a mistake to think it’s certainly going to happen,’' an unnamed source told King. “There’s a long way to go. But instead of people yelling at each other, trying to score debating points, now people are sitting down and talking to each other, trying to solve a very involved case. That’s progress.’'
The progress includes small groups working on satellite issues, the building of a positive relationship between the two leaders of the effort, Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith, and a willingness by the NFL to share in the revenue that exceeds annual projection. The last point is the most important, given as King explains the looming increases in the network television deals.
There’s a sense that, despite the many issues to be resolved, a deal can be reached by the middle of July, which would allow the entire regular season and preseason to be played. And, as King explains, the largely meaningless (to the fans) preseason has great significance to the process, because the cancellation of the preseason would result in the disappearance of, per King’s estimate, $700 million. It also could prompt ad buyers to spend less money on regular-season football.
So while it’s all moving in the right direction, the destination remains at a fairly long distance away, and plenty of obstacles can derail the train.