Owners joining Goodell and Smith, as mediation resumes Thursday

Updated 9:40 a.m. ET Thursday

Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith both will be in Minnesota on Thursday, as mediation between the owners and players resumes. It will be the first time the two have met face-to-face since talks ended on March 11.

Newsday's Bob Glauber first reported on Wednesday that the two will be present for the second round of mediation, this time with Judge Arthur Boylan on a request from Judge Susan Nelson.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday morning on Twitter that Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Steelers owner Art Rooney II will join Goodell and league general counsel Jeff Pash in mediation talks. All four owners are members of the league's labor committee.

In a conference call with Dolphins' season-ticket holders on Wednesday evening, Goodell confirmed he would be there.

"We should be negotiating and reaching an agreement that works for everybody," Goodell said.

The league locked out the players after the NFLPA decertified on March 11. The two sides have been unable to negotiate a new labor agreement. The players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the owners, and Judge Nelson is considering an injunction to end the lockout.

The way we see it

It's always a good sign when the two sides are talking, especially when the leaders, Goodell and Smith, are present. The more decision-makers in the room the better, and having Hunt, Kraft, Richardson and Rooney in attendance shows the players that the league at least appears serious about these talks. However, optimism is not high that a whole lot will come out of these mediations. Judge Nelson can make them talk, but she cannot make them agree.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/14/owners-joining-goodell-and-smith-as-mediation-resu

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