Don't start celebrating the return of football just yet. While the NFL lockout does indeed seem to be coming to a close, nothing is official right now. Only NFL owners have approved a new CBA, and it was their proposal. This could be problematic based on an email DeMaurice Smith sent out to player reps shortly after Roger Goodell's press conference came to a close.
"As you know the Owners have ratified their proposal to settle our differences," the e-mail states. "It is my understanding they are forwarding it to us. As you may have heard, they apparently approved a supplemental revenue sharing proposal. Obviously, we have not been a part of those discussions. As you know from yesterday, issues that need to be collectively bargained remain open other issues such as workers compensation, economic issues and end of deal terms remain unresolved. There is no agreement between the NFL and the Players at this time. I look forward to our call tonight."
At first the thinking was that the players could vote on the agreement during their conference call tonight, but that doesn't seem likely based on this tweet from Jay Glazer: "I'm now hearing the players will NOT vote bc they haven't even seen what owners have done w changes players made to the owners' proposal."
This entire situation seems to have been handled pretty poorly, but I think the owners held a press conference to put some pressure on the players. Whether or not this tactic will actually work remains to be seen, though. Right now the players certainly don't sound ready to approve anything, unfortunately.