NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Official
CANTON, Ohio (CBS) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players' Association executive director DeMaurice Smith shook hands and hugged Friday as they signed a new collective bargaining agreement.
The new 10-year CBA was first signed by Goodell, who passed it over to Smith, saying "there you go," as they stood at a makeshift table on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Smith signed, and the two shook hands, hugged and gave each other playful shoulder slaps.
With fans at the ceremony on a hot and sunny Friday, the signing went off with a slight hitch, starting 15 minutes late.
The new deal, ratified by players on Thursday, is in place after a 4 1/2-month lockout.
The lockout ended July 25, after NFL owners unanimously approved a deal and players worked afterward to come to an agreement. The agreement is a 10-year deal, meaning football will be safe from another lockout for a decade.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
