NFL Lockout: 5 Issues Most Important to Getting a Deal Done

The NFL lockout has crossed the 100-day milestone. Free-agent signings, trades and team meetings have been non-existent. Every football fan in the world, young and old, is wondering when the grudge match that is taking place between the players union and the team owners will end.

I don't have any answer. I wish I did.

But here are five things that must take place for this lockout to be relegated to the history books.

No. 5: Sit Still! 

Owners' meetings have taken place just about all over the country, from Indianapolis, to Chicago, to Boston and now Minneapolis.

The owners need to sit still in one place. All this moving around is bad because it indicates that nothing is getting done at the meetings, and the owners are moving around in an attempt to change the atmosphere.

Note: The atmosphere has nothing to do with this. 

No. 4: Time

Clearly, as is the case with any sports lockout or strike, time is of the essence. In the case of this current NFL lockout, time is working against the possibility of a season.

The more time that the NFLPA and the owners take negotiating, the less time teams will have to prepare for the season. Training camps are set to open in three weeks, and players won't be starting the season cold.

So, if training camps don't open on time, expect a shortened season at the least.

The clock is ticking.

No. 3: Revenue

The main topic of dispute at the meetings has reportedly been how the league's total revenue will be broken up among players and owners.

In the past, the owners have gotten more, but the new collective bargaining agreement being proposed gives the players nearly 50 percent. This is a huge change from tradition, as players have taken to the stance that without them, there is no football.

The same can be said about the owners, so 50/50 sounds good to me. Will it sound good to them?

No. 2: Roger Goodell Staying Neutral

This is a big one. A lot of the players have expressed the opinion that they think Goodell is favoring the side of the owners. Goodell needs to make it known that his one and only priority is having an NFL season. If he doesn't make this perfectly blatant, the lockout may never end.

No. 1: Negotiating 101

As is the case with most contracts and legal agreements, both sides are rarely 100 percent happy.

This is going to be the case when this lockout ends; neither the owners nor the NFLPA will be pleases with some of the terms of the contract.

They have to realize the reality of the situation, though, and be happy with what they can get and accept what they cannot.

I'd say, if they can't do this, then they don't really care about football at all. I haven't lost all hope, I do think football is their main priority and I plan on being on my couch in September to watch opening day.