Times wires
Friday, June 3, 2011
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Commissioner Roger Goodell will spend the weekend preparing for the next set of negotiations, energized by this week's talks that he said show both sides are committed to ending the labor dispute.
While the owners and players spent Friday in a St. Louis courtroom arguing over the lockout's legality, Goodell visited an Army base with Panthers coach Ron Rivera. He took questions from soldiers before telling reporters there's reason for optimism after three days of talks in Chicago.
"The importance is to have … the owners and players talk to one another," he said. "That was accomplished this week. … That's a positive sign for us."
The owners made significant concessions during the talks, CBSSports.com reported. The website didn't have details.
Goodell wouldn't say when the next round of talks would be or if the owners are preparing another offer. He did say both sides showed a willingness to work toward a deal. The biggest stumbling block is how to divvy up $9 billion in annual revenue.
"I would just tell you that both sides are committed to continuing the dialogue," Goodell said.
During the Q&A, one soldier said the owners are the players' "No. 1 distraction" and asked, "Where's the … love of the game?"
"I understand the frustration and criticism," Goodell said. "You have to make sure you're taking the right steps, though, to protect the game for a long-term basis."
Back in court … : No immediate ruling came from a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals after roughly 70 minutes of arguments. Judge Kermit Bye encouraged the sides to settle and said if the court must rule, "it's probably something both sides are not going to like."