NFL season to go ahead as players agree multibillion-dollar deal to end lockout

The National Football League (NFL) and players yesterday agreed to terms to end their four-month lockout and ensure America's most popular sport will go ahead as planned next season.

The players must still ratify their decision with a formal vote once the NFL Players' Association (NFLPA) reforms, but that is now just a formality after the feuding sides agreed to a multibillion-dollar, 10-year deal. "The board of player representatives and the executive committee of the players' association unanimously recommended the approval of the deal," said the NFLPA executive director, DeMaurice Smith.

Teams are now expected to open their doors and allow players to resume training this week while the free agency period will also commence.