Reports: Smith joined owners at 'secret' meeting in Chicago

Updated 12:05 p.m. ET Thursday

Word of the secret talks amongst owners in a west Chicago suburb on Wednesday got more interesting Thursday, as ESPN and the NFL Network are reporting NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith was on hand. The talks are scheduled to wrap up Thursday afternoon.

In addition to Smith, Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who has been mediating the most recent talks, is also present for the meetings, according to multiple reports.

Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported Wednesday night that commissioner Roger Goodell, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson flew into DuPage Airport, 40 miles west of downtown Chicago.

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that Giants owner John Mara and Steelers owner Art Rooney were also present for the meeting.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Albert Breer followed up, confirming that Smith joined the owners in Chicago, as the two sides work to settle their differences with Friday's hearing looming. According to the ESPN report, the meeting was kept so secretive that other NFL owners were unaware it was taking place.

Schefter reported that Kevin Mawae, Mike Vrabel and Jeff Saturday were among the players present at the meeting.

Neither the league nor the NFLPA have confirmed details about the meeting. The two sides have been unable to negotiate a new labor agreement. The NFLPA decertified in March when talks broke down, leading to the current NFL lockout.

The lawyers representing the two sides will be in court Friday in St. Louis in front of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the beginning of the hearing on the league's appeal of Judge Susan Nelson's decision to end the lockout. The two sides are scheduled to resume mediation with Boylan in Minneapolis next Tuesday.

The way we see it

While it is unknown what was accomplished at the meeting that is far from secret at this point, any time the two sides are communicating with one another is a positive sign. Breer pointed out it's the first time the two sides have met face-to-face without a third party present since the Super Bowl.

The owners currently hold the leverage thanks to a decision on a permanent stay of the lockout. The wording in the decision on the stay seemed to suggest that the owners will win the appeals hearing that begins Friday, which would pressure the players to agree to a deal to be sure the 2011 season begins on time.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/06/02/reports-smith-joined-owners-at-secret-meeting-in-c

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