Season Saved! NFL Players, Owners Strike Deal to End Lockout

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

The players still have to vote on the issue, once the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) reforms, but that is now just a formality after the feuding sides agreed to a multi-billion dollar, 10-year deal.

"The board of player representatives and the executive committee of the players association unanimously recommended the approval of the deal," NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith told reporters.

"Obviously we have a collective bargaining ratification process that has yet to start. We have a recertification effort ... but our men believe that they should make this decision as players."

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