NFL Owners Want New Deal

Those negotiations were overseen on the league side by Goodell's predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, who had a close working relationship with Upshaw and retired as commissioner in September 2006 with the league having had no work stoppage since he'd taken office in 1989. Tagliabue faced obstacles on his own side during those negotiations in addition to dealing with Upshaw and the players. The 2006 deal included a system for bolstered revenue-sharing among the 32 teams as well as a settlement with the players, and was approved by a 30-2 vote of the owners. Only the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills voted against the settlement.

Owners now say the deal and the country's worsening economic conditions have put a financial squeeze on many franchises.

"We obviously feel that the spirit of the agreement was for either side to opt out if it's not working for them," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "And it's not working for us."

Upshaw has said repeatedly that the NFL, with annual revenue of approximately $8 billion, is healthy financially. He said Tuesday the owners would have to show audited financial statements if they want to demonstrate that a significant number of franchises are suffering under the terms of the deal.

In a written statement, the league cited several aspects of the deal that it finds troublesome, including the escalation of rookies' salaries and the inability of teams to force certain players to return bonus money from their contracts. The Atlanta Falcons were mostly unsuccessful in their bid to force suspended quarterback Michael Vick, who's serving a 23-month federal prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation, to return bonus money from his contract.

"We have guaranteed three more years of NFL football," Goodell said. "It is our responsibility to work out these matters. That is our job, and that is what we're going to get focused on immediately. We recognize how important it is for us to continue to have NFL football for our fans. We've had labor peace for several years, and we hope to continue that."

Said Jones, "A lot can happen in three years one way or the other."