The end to the controversy could be soon. or maybe note. A report on Slate.com has both sides of the argument. The first is an ESPN report that the sides are in agreement on a new deal that would end the lockout of the National Football League referees:
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association made enough progress in negotiations Tuesday night that the possibility of the locked-out officials returning in time to work this week's games has been discussed, according to sources on both sides.
An agreement in principle is at hand, according to one source familiar to talks, although NFL owners have postured with a "no more compromise" stance.
Peter King thinks, however, that may not be the case:
Update 1:25 p.m.: Sports Illustrated's Peter King isn't so sure. He just tweeted: "I'm hearing NFLRA negotiator Scott Green has notified officials that a deal is not imminent. Stay tuned, obviously."
"Not imminent" could mean that they have nothing to announce just yet. If they have reconciled the big issues, mostly surrounding pensions for the refs but not done the paperwork, then there is still work to do.
What is important to both the players, teams, and fans, is that something gets done as soon as possible. With the constant controversy over the officiating the first three weeks of the season, it has become a major distraction to the game. Every little missed call is getting tons of attention, disrupting and delaying every game. It will only get greater from here.
