With the collective bargaining contract between the National Football League and the National Football League's Players Association expiring on March 4, the two sides have begun talks with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The two sides met with the director, who asked them not to speak to the press. The NFL filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the union earlier this month. The negotiations cover wages, health benefits and increasing the length of the regular season. The NFL owners want to reconfigure the pay sharing agreement so that they receive more of the profits. If no agreement is reached, the owners may lock out the players, shutting down the foot ball season, which is scheduled to begin September 8.
See "NFL clubs and players meet mediator over agreement", BBC News Online, February 20, 2011