Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and NFLPA Executive Director Demaurice Smith signs the NFL’s new 10-year Collective Bargaining Agreement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame August 5, 2011 in Canton, Ohio. (Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CANTON, Ohio (CBS) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players’ Association executive director DeMaurice Smith shook hands and hugged Friday as they signed a new collective bargaining agreement.
The new 10-year CBA was first signed by Goodell, who passed it over to Smith, saying “there you go,” as they stood at a makeshift table on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Smith signed, and the two shook hands, hugged and gave each other playful shoulder slaps.
With fans at the ceremony on a hot and sunny Friday, the signing went off with a slight hitch, starting 15 minutes late.
The new deal, ratified by players on Thursday, is in place after a 4 1/2-month lockout.
The lockout ended July 25, after NFL owners unanimously approved a deal and players worked afterward to come to an agreement. The agreement is a 10-year deal, meaning football will be safe from another lockout for a decade.
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