NFL Lockout: What Does the 24-Hour Extension Mean?

When the NFL and NFLPA reached a 24-hour extension on Thursday, March 3 according to NFL.com, at the very least they delayed the inevitable lockout.

Generally speaking, if two sides agree on an extension for their negotiations, there is probably some basis for it.

For once, it's okay to have a sense of optimism about the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

Why would they extend the time period for negotiations (especially by such a small amount of time) if they didn't think they would reach an agreement on a new CBA?

It should be noted that when the two sides agreed to an extension in 2006, a deal was ultimately reached.

NESN.com's Jeff Howe tweeted Thursday evening, "One highly respected player rep has told me the players are 'optimistic' a deal can get reached, but [a] second extension will be necessary."

If nothing else, it seems progress is being made.

Of course, we all know about the struggle between the owners and the players on the topics of the 18-game season, a rookie wage scale and benefits for retired players, but according to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, "The biggest sticking point in negotiations has been how to divide the league's revenues, including what cut team owners should receive up front to help cover certain costs, such as stadium construction. Under the old deal, owners received about $1 billion off the top. They entered these negotiations seeking to add another $1 billion to that."

With both sides remaining silent as to the status and specific details of the negotiations, what's left to be worked out remains anyone's guess.

But with an extra 24 hours, let's hope it's not very much, and that these two sides can strike a deal before the horse-drawn carriage of the 2011 season turns into a big fat pumpkin at midnight on March 5, 2011.