A deal for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is not expected before the league's new calendar year.
Neither are any further talks scheduled — at least not between the union and league.
But club owners are now scheduled to talk among themselves. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has called a special owners meeting for Thursday in New York, reports USA TODAY.
Although the current CBA doesn't expire until after the 2007 season, getting an extension before Friday is critical because it would prevent rules that apply to the last "capped" year from taking effect. And a new deal this week is expected to immediately add about $10million to each team's salary cap.
At present, the cap for the 2006 season is projected to be about $95million a team.
Barring a new deal, the 2007 season would be an "uncapped" year.
