NFL and players to continue mediation on Tuesday

The NFL owners and players will continue court-ordered mediation on Tuesday in efforts to bring the 63-day lockout to an end.

While a new deal is not expected to be negotiating during this round of negotiations, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reported Monday evening that the two sides were making progress.

The NFL has presented the NFLPA* with a new proposal, different than what was proposed back in March, to which NFLPA* director DeMaurice Smith dubbed “The worst deal in sports history.”

Lawyer Michael Hausfeld, who filed a separate lawsuit on behalf of retired players, told Paolantonio: “The players are considering their proposal and formulating a response. It’s not acceptable as is, but it’s a starting point.”

With the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to grant a stay of execution, the leverage is currently with the owners. A new proposal made in “good faith” to the players could help bring the two sides together.