AFP - Two months ahead of the expiration of a labour contract between club owners and players, National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell predicted a new deal on Monday "if both sides give a little".
The major unanswered question for US gridiron followers is how long a shutdown might come once the current deal expires March 4, likely setting up a lockout situation where owners shut players out of club facilities.
"I know we can and will reach an agreement," Goodell wrote in an e-mail letter sent Monday to more than five million NFL fans.
"These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation."
Owners exercised an opt-out clause in 2008 to a deal that took effect ahead of the 2006 NFL campaign, saying they were losing too much money.
Players say the NFL is fine financially, in part because of huge sponsorship deals and major television revenue deals, including one that will see the league paid even if no games are played, the income taken from future telecasts.
"This is about more than a labor agreement," Goodell wrote. "It's about the future of the NFL."
NFL games have been staged without labor trouble since 1987 when a players strike was halted after three weeks.
Goodell said economic conditions have changed dramatically since the 2006 deal, citing higher US unemployment.
"NFL players deserve to be paid well," Goodell said. "Unfortunately economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different."
Goodell said a major factor in talks was expanding the NFL regular season from 16 to 18 games for each club, trimming two pre-season games in August from schedules in favor of more games that matter in the standings.
Many players have criticized the suggestions, saying the wear and tear from extra contests would take a heavy toll in a sport already filled with serious injuries to players.
Union leaders want extra considerations for safety and retirement pensions before even considering the idea of stretching the season.
Greater TV revenue from more games would likely grow the income figures enough to satisfy player salary demands and owner profit concerns.
Goodell said owners also want "a new system that properly compensates proven veterans and retired players by shifting some of the outrageous sums paid to many unproven rookies."
The NBA imposed a similar rookie salary cap system, but not without a labor shutdown of its own.
NFL teams paid 1.2 billion dollars for 256 rookies, 585 million of that total in guaranteed money - income not lost to players if they should be cut from the squad.
"Don't get me wrong: top draft choices will continue to be highly paid," Goodell wrote. "All we're asking for is a return to common sense in paying our rookies.
"Other leagues have done this and we can too."
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