The NFL moved closer to labor peace for another decade early Wednesday when player representatives voted to send a new deal already approved by the owners that include a 17-game season to the full union membership.

A simple majority of some 2,000 players must accept the agreement for it to go into effect this year. There was no immediate word of when that vote would occur.

The new CBA calls for a 17-game regular season, which is expected to begin in 2021 includes more roster spots, a shortened preseason, a higher percentage of revenue for players and upgraded pensions for former players.

The owners approved it on Thursday, though not unanimously.  It seems certain that the players will accept the deal or else their leadership would not likely have made this move.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires in March 2021, but the owners are eager to get a new contract in place as soon as possible. That would enable them to begin looking toward new, lucrative broadcast deals with a decade of labor peace assured.

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