NLL strikes deal, salvages season: report

The National Lacrosse League reportedly has struck a deal with the players' union that could salvage the upcoming season.

The Peterborough Examiner reported late Wednesday that the two sides successfully negotiated a framework for a new collective bargaining agreement that runs seven years, with an opt-out clause following the fifth year.

"There was an agreement with commissioner Jim Jennings and the PLPA," Chicago Shamrox general manager Jamie Batley told the Examiner.

"After the talks broke off earlier in the day about 5 p.m., an e-mail campaign was started and an agreement was reached about 8 p.m."

The NLL board of governors is expected to vote on it Thursday.
 
Jennings cancelled the season last Tuesday, after negotiators for the Professional Lacrosse Players' Association rejected the league's offer.

Jennings threatened to cease operations if an agreement wasn't reached by Oct. 16 — and did so.

But talks resumed last Friday in an effort to salvage the season.  

The NLL presented the players with a revised proposal on Monday, and reportedly consented to a seven-year pact which contains the opt-out clause and salary increases for the players. 

Under the old agreement, which expired July 31, veteran players earned a maximum of $21,294 US and franchise players received received $25,552 US.

Rookies were paid $6,880 US, second-year pros earned a minimum of $9,282 US and the veteran's minimum was $10,221 US, putting the league's average salary at approximately $14,500 US.

The NLL features 14 teams, including the Calgary Roughnecks, Edmonton Rush and Toronto Rock.

The season was scheduled to begin Dec. 27.

With files from the Canadian Press

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