ORLANDO, Fla. -- In his first press conference of the NFL owners meetings, commissioner Roger Goodell didn't seem worried that there hasn't been any progress in reaching a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players union.
There has been talk of a lockout by NFL owners in 2011.
"The best thing I can say to you is we're still in a very early stage," Goodell said. "Let's allow the collective bargaining process to continue. We'll continue to negotiate and hopefully we'll reach a fair agreement for the players and the game."
Goodell said there has been no discussions with the players union for several weeks because the sides have been conducting their annual meetings. He said there is a way to reach an agreement that will work for both sides.
"If we can create the right economic system, we can grow the game," Goodell said. "By doing that, you grow the pot and there's more to share. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to create a win-win situation."
Goodell also touted the proposal for a new overtime system for the playoffs, where both teams would get a possession. Currently, the NFL uses a "sudden death" format.
A vote on this proposal should happen this week.
"I'm not sure there is a perfect overtime system," Goodell said. "I think the competition committee has come up with something here that is very much worth consideration. It's getting a lot of thought. It has the potential to be a better system."