ATLANTA, July 21 (UPI) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday the Hall of Fame Game, scheduled for Aug. 7, has been canceled.
Goodell made the announcement at the end of a meeting of league owners in Atlanta, during which they agreed to a proposed deal with players. Such an agreement would end a lockout that has threatened the NFL season but the chief negotiator for the players said more work needs to be done before any deal could be announced.
The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio became the first major casualty of the inability of the owners and players to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. Owners locked out the players on March 12 after the old contract expired.
The game was to have sent the Chicago Bears against the St. Louis Rams. The ceremonies inducting the newest Hall of Fame class will be held as scheduled.
"There's an urgency to this," Goodell said of the attempt to end the labor dispute. "We want to have a full 2011 season. That includes the four preseason games and we're up against the wall. I think that's indicated by the unfortunate cancellation of the Hall of Fame Game."
"Obviously, the loss of this year's game will have a significant adverse economic impact on the Hall of Fame and the Canton community," a statement released by Hall of Fame officials said.
