Mar 10, 7:31 AM EST
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Not nearly enough.
That, essentially, was the NFL Players Association's stance on two vital issues Wednesday as the deadline for a new labor deal approaches. The owners' willingness to reduce the amount of extra money they want up front - from $1 billion to $800 million - isn't a sufficient drop. And the financial data the league is willing to reveal isn't what the union seeks.
Both sides spoke much more openly about money matters Wednesday than they have since they entered mediation Feb. 18. The twice-extended deadline for expiration of the collective bargaining agreement is at the end of Friday.
Under the old CBA, owners received an immediate $1 billion for operating expenses before splitting remaining revenues with players. Owners initially sought to double that, and while they have lowered the up-front figure they want, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith tied that to the full financial transparency he's sought for nearly two years in what is a $9 billion business.
