Goodell Asked To Speak At NFL Players' Symposium

SARASOTA, Fla. (CBS) -- In the midst of ongoing labor issues and a lockout, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was set to speak at the Players' Association's rookie symposium.

Sports Illustrated reports Goodell was to speak to the rookies Wednesday morning at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sarasota, Fla. The symposium, called "The Business of Football: Rookie Edition" is being held just to the north in Bradenton, Fla., Sports Illustrated reported.

Goodell will fly with NFL Players' Association executive director DeMaurice Smith from Minneapolis, where they are in the midst of labor meetings, Sports Illustrated reported. Goodell was then speak to the symposium at 7 a.m. Chicago time Wednesday, and fly right back to Minneapolis.

The NFL and the players are working toward ending the long-standing lockout that is threatening the 2011 football season.

A recent report says "some internal deadlines have July 15 as the date a labor deal needs to be done to save the preseason in its natural form."

The Chicago Bears' preseason camp is scheduled to open July 22.

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• NFL
• Roger Goodell
• NFL Players Association