NFL Labor Deal Expected Soon

Pittsburgh (KDKA)- All signs are pointing towards NFL football returning very soon.

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com, is reporting that the NFL and its players should reach a labor agreement soon -- presumably, within the next few weeks.

Revenue sharing, of course, is the core issue between players and owners, but, they reportedly have made much progress on that.

When an agreement is reached, the big question then is when will free agency begin?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that an agreement must be in place, with no unresolved items, before clubs can start the free agent process.

Other key items that are being talked about:
*As first reported by Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the proposed CBA would provide players with 48 percent of all revenues.

*Players would qualify for unrestricted free agency after four accrued seasons.

*An 18-game schedule would not be part of the deal

*Starting in 2012, the league would have a regular Thursday night game instead of the current eight.

*A rookie wage scale will be part of a CBA, details are still being worked on.