Previously I gave my perspective on the bargaining process. To reiterate, deal making usually happens in the last days of negotiations and sometimes take a few days past the deadline by extending the existing CBA for 24-48 hours. That usually happens when sides are very close to a deal and just have a few things to iron out.
Entering mediation for the final two weeks of the current deal looks like a positive step. It signals that both sides are serious about working a deal out. Things didn't look so good when two days were scheduled and the second day was canceled.
George Cohen is tasked with bringing the two sided to an agreement. Cohen isn't unfamiliar with sports CBA negotiations. He handled the MLS and MLS players union and they ultimately got a deal done.
Of course, the NFL is a much bigger fish. Billions of dollars are at stake and neither side wants to give in.
Cohen's job will be to make recommendations and try and find a middle ground.
Psychologically it helps the sided more agreeable to new ideas. If it comes from an outside neutral party then the two sides can view that the other side didn't make the proposal. Maybe both parties will be more at ease accepting ideas from a third party versus one side basically making demands and the other side rejecting it.
An article on George Cohen linked by Stephanie Stradley.
I haven't read the blog yet but John McClain states the positives of mediation in his blog.
They met two days already but are under a gag order so news is coming out of the conferences. The talks are planned for two weeks. Each day they negotiate the odds get better a deal will get done. If talks are called off then a work stoppage is extremely likely.
All us fans can do is hope for the best and prepare for a draft watching party.
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