Target Date For NFL Lockout Is 'Week Of July 10'

Hoping to see the NFL lockout solved on the Fourth of July holiday weekend? 

Not likely.

Judy Battista of the New York Times reports that, while a deal could still happen within days, the target date is still a couple weeks away. According to the report, the week of July 10 is now the target to get a deal done. Depending on how quick an agreement can be finalized, that could still leave room for a small free agency period before training camps start.

Most training camps will start at the end of July but the Rams and Bears, who are playing in the Hall of Fame game on August 7, start camp on July 22.

As with most of these lockout reports, there are some sources reporting good and news and some bad news. Battista writes that one person familiar with the talks believes little progress has been made on critical issues -- like the money -- but another feels a deal can come much sooner.

One person who has been briefed on the status of talks said that the sides were close enough to complete a deal within 72 hours with intense effort. But dynamics among the parties, the person said, could stall a deal.

The next 72 hours would be a best-case scenario situation and, according to other reports, that seems unlikely.

Until then, we wait...and wait...for these two sides to figure out how to split up the money of the most successful sports league in history.