The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The NFL Players Association executive board and 32 team reps voted unanimously today to approve the terms of a deal with owners to the end the 4 1/2-month lockout.
Owners overwhelmingly approved a proposal last week, but some unresolved issues still needed to be reviewed to satisfy players; the owners do not need to vote again.
The sides worked through the weekend and wrapped up the details this morning on a final pact that is for 10 years, without an opt-out clause, a person familiar with the deal told the AP on condition of anonymity.
Owners decided in 2008 to opt out of the league’s old labor contract, which expired March 11. That’s when the owners locked out the players, creating the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987.
NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith stepped outside of the group’s headquarters in Washington at about 2 p.m. (11 a.m. PDT) to announce that players approved the pact.
“I know it has been a very long process since the day we stood here that night in March,” Smith said. “But our guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back because of it.”
