The NFL's D-Day has arrived. The NFL Players Association and the owners are meeting Thursday in advance of the 11:59 p.m. EST deadline, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
There was a moment of positive news earlier in the day, when the league proposed an extension to the current CBA, but then reports began to trickle out (via Albert Breer) that the players found the proposal "unsatisfactory," saying it lacked "specific language ensuring this is not a delay tactic" by the league.
If the union and the league ultimately opt not to extend, then the Players are excepted to decertify (allowing them to sue the league for anti-trust law violations) and the owners are expected to respond by locking out the players. Fun times.
For now, both sides remain in negotiations, with the main topics at hand the revenue split between owners and players, an 18-game season, a rookie wage scale and benefits for retired players.
For more on the NFL lockout situation, visit SB Nation's Storystream.