NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, left, and NFL football Commissioner Roger Goodell in DC today (AP)

After four-and-a-half months of disagreement, the NFL and the NFL Players Association have ended the lockout that would have prevented the 2011-2012 football season. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "This is a long time coming, and football's back, and that's the great news for everybody," while NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith said, "We didn't get everything that either side wanted ... but we did arrive at a deal that we think is fair and balanced."

According to the Daily News, "The sides put the finishing touches on a settlement for the antitrust lawsuit, which paves the way for a new collective bargaining agreement and the end of the lockout. The 32 player representatives were walked through the program in a two-and-a-half hour conference call, and then voted unanimously to approve that deal Monday afternoon." The deal is for 10 years, without an opt-out clause. Issues had included revenue sharing and rookie wages; the AP reports, "That included how the more than $9 billion in annual league revenues will be divided (about 53 percent to owners and 47 percent to players over the next decade; the old CBA resulted in nearly a 50-50 split); a per-club cap of about $120 million for salary and bonuses in 2011 — and at least that in 2012 and 2013 — plus about $22 million for benefits; a salary system to rein in spending on first-round draft picks; and unrestricted free agency for most players after four seasons."

Now teams can get back to work, with players reporting tomorrow. The NFL will issue a list of free agents today and teams can sign draft picks tomorrow, though no players can officially sign until Friday. The Jets, for what it's worth, will be paying employees lost wages.