NEW YORK (Reuters) - The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter directly to players and their agents on Thursday, urging them and their union (NFLPA) to return to the negotiating table.
America's most popular sport was plunged into its first work stoppage in almost a quarter of a century last week when labor talks between the NFL and the union collapsed after they failed to reach agreement on a range of issues, including how to divide up more than $9 billion in annual revenues.
A group of 10 high-profile players, including quarterback Tom Brady, filed a lawsuit against the NFL, which responded by imposing a lockout, setting the scene for a long and costly legal battle.
But Goodell took the unusual step of writing to the players on Thursday, explaining the NFL's position on all the disputed points and asking them to reopen the talks.
"I hope you will encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement," Goodell wrote.
The first court date has been set for Minnesota on April 6 but Goodell maintained the dispute could only be resolved by talks.
"Our fans want us to find common ground, settle our differences, and come to a fair agreement," Goodell wrote.
"I have met with many of you since becoming commissioner. You know of my respect and admiration for you as men and as players. We need to come together, and soon.
"In that spirit, we are prepared to negotiate a full agreement that would incorporate these features and other progressive changes that would benefit players, clubs, and fans.
"Only through collective bargaining will we reach that kind of agreement. Our goal is to make our league even better than it is today, with the benefits shared by all of us."
(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Ian Ransom)
