NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith indicated Monday they will intensify efforts to reach a new labor deal.
Goodell and Smith issued a joint statement indicating negotiations to produce a new labor agreement before the current contract's March 4 expiration date will continue this weekend in Dallas before Super Bowl XLV.
The statement said the two met Monday to "discuss a range of issues related to a new collective bargaining agreement," adding, "they agreed to hold a formal bargaining session with both negotiating teams on Saturday in the Dallas area."
The pair also said they have agreed to hold "a series of meetings over the next few weeks, both formal bargaining sessions and smaller group meetings, in an effort to reach a new agreement by early March."
The NFL could face a work stoppage and a lockout if a new deal isn't in place by March 4.
