Report: NFL, NFLPA End 3-Day CBA Negotiation Session After 1st Day of Talks

The NFL and NFLPA's originally scheduled three-day negotiation session for a new collective bargaining agreement ended after just one day, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 

That isn't cause for concern, however, if the NFL and NFLPA's joint statement is any indication.

"Today's meeting was productive, constructive and beneficial for both sides, and the meetings between the NFLPA's Executive Committee and the NFL's Management Council Executive Committee will continue," the statement read.

The two sides aren't close to the finish line, though. A source told ESPN's Josina Anderson that "big topics are tabled [for now]" and that "there is definitely a lot of work to be done."

"There was information they needed to take back and discuss further with the other owners," the source also noted.

The two sides are working towards a new collective bargaining agreement in advance of the current one's expiration following the 2020 NFL season.

However, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo added it's "extremely unlikely" the two sides will reach an agreement before Week 1: 

Garafolo also cited revenue sharing as the most notable issue.

Pelissero reported that the two sides will head back to the negotiating table on July 29, with another three-day session in the works.

The 18-game schedule (with a 16-game limit per player) seems to be the most controversial, though, with people struggling to comprehend the fact that players would be forced to sit for two contests. Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News said it was an "affront to competitive logic that never has been attempted in any major American team sport."

Of note, NFLPA Director DeMaurice Smith didn't hide his displeasure regarding the proposal in an interview with ESPN's Cameron Wolfe:

"I don't see an 18-game schedule—under any circumstance—being in the best interest of our players. If somebody wants to make an 18-game proposal, we'll look at it. I haven't seen anything that makes me think that it would be good for the players."

That idea seems like it will go by the wayside before it gains any traction, but the two sides still have to hammer out other issues before the CBA expires.