WASHINGTON: National Football League owners and players union leaders returned to the bargaining table for four hours Monday as an extended deadline and possible shutdown of the 32-team league loomed. Talks are expected to resume Tuesday before a non-binding federal mediator in hopes of averting the first NFL work stoppage since 1987 as billionaire owners and millionaire players try to divide $9.1 billion in annual revenue. George Cohen, a non-binding federal mediator, brought the sides together for 11 days of talks that led to a one-day extension last week and then a one-week extension of the current collective bargaining agreement. “Any time there's a third party with no dog in the hunt, sometimes he can show where you're just being stubborn and where you need to give some ground,” New Orleans Saints tackle Jon Stinchcomb said. The extensions set a new deadline of Friday afternoon before the current contract expires, which could open the door for owners to lock players out or the union to decertify, sending the spat into a protracted court fight. With the US unemployment rate at 8.9 percent, each side is wary of angering the Americans who support them with attendance, spending and viewership – the past two Super Bowls being the most-watched shows in US television history.Sides remain far apart on major issues, the league coming down slightly off its desire for $1 billion more off the top of revenue, from which they already take $1 billion before players divide 60 percent of the remainder. Owners say extra money is needed because of debts faced by teams over huge loans to build new stadiums, although many such facilities in the past have been constructed with taxpayer funds in order to keep clubs from relocating. NFL clubs, which Forbes magazine estimated turned an average profit of $33 million in 2009, were prevented from drawing upon $4 billion in future television profits by a court ruling last week that helped prompt more talks. Owners want a salary scale for rookies and an 18-game regular season for each team to boost income. Players seek more money for retired players facing medical issues in a sport where the average career barely lasts three seasons and are wary of adding to an already punishing schedule, even if teams have more players as a result. The NFL is not the only US sports league facing a showdown over union deals. NBA and MLB are next. – Agence France
