The last few weeks we’ve been saying that step one in solving the NFL lockout is to get the two sides in the same room. It seems simple but when each side is taking swipes at the other publicly, simply getting them to sit down at the same table is a large task.
Mediation Not Expected To Result In New Deal For Players, Owners
So Judge Susan Nelson ordered them to sit down and talk while Chief Magistrate Arthur Boylan will mediate the talks.
But is all this talking doing any good?
The early predictions are that it’s not. Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com writes that several sources from both sides said this round of mediation feels like the last round, which resulted in some progress but no deal.
Several participants from both sides privately used a two-word expression to describe the first few days of mediation: déjà vu.
That’s because, to some, it felt the same as mediation under George Cohen in Washington. Two entrenched sides, neither wanting to be there, both stalling for the inevitable court ruling to come but wanting to keep up appearances that they’re trying to mediate a deal.
Each side has been so public about their positions that giving in on anything could be a public embarrassment. For example, could the players ever agree to 18 games as some sort of concession for something larger? Probably not because they’ve spent a lot of time campaigning against that and, publicly, it would look like they were backing down.
So while I’m glad the two sides are at least in the same room talking, it doesn’t sound like we’ll be seeing results from it.
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