Two days after a controversial call cost the Green Bay Packers a win, the NFL and the referees' union are reportedly nearing an end to a lockout that put replacement officials on the field since the start of the season.
According to several reports, the NFL and the union are close to a new deal that would allow the league's regular officials to return to work, possibly as early as this weekend.
ESPN reported Wednesday that "an agreement in principle is at hand," and The New York Times reported that the sides ""were closing in" on a way to end the impasse. ESPN cited unidentified sources from both sides; the Times cited a person briefed on the negotiations.
ESPN reported that although league sources said it would take a week to get the locked-out officials on the field, the union says its referees have been trained on the new rules and have already passed physicals or are prepared to pass physicals immediately.
A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the NFL and its locked-out officials were meeting Wednesday. The sides met for about 14 hours starting Tuesday into early Wednesday. They broke for a few hours before reconvening in an attempt to resolve the dispute and end the firestorm over the use of replacement refs.
Both sides reportedly have made concessions on previous sticking points such as a taxi squad of 21 new officials and pension plans.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:13:45 GMT
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:51:03 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
© Associated Press
