2011 NFL Lockout: Commissioner, Owners and NFLPA Hold Secret Meeting

For the football fans who are hoping the 2011 NFL season goes on as planned, here's a bit a good news (for once) about the NFL lockout. According to ESPN's John Clayton, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with a handful of powerful NFL owners, including Dallas' Jerry Jones, New England's Robert Kraft and Carolina's Jerry Richardson on Wednesday in Chicago.

However, Clayton's initial report about the secret meeting excluded one important figure, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen are reporting Smith was present, too, as well as other players association officials.

The meeting is viewed as a positive step as the two sides work to bridge some of their various differences. While a potential agreement appears to still be a long way off, the meeting could help lay the foundation for a deal getting done later this month.

Both sides will be in court Friday, June 3 for a hearing in St. Louis in front of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court will hear arguments on whether or not the current lockout is legal.

The NFL lockout began on March 11.