Arena Football League reaches collective bargaining agreement with its players union

Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and its players union became so nasty that the owners set a 5 o'clock Sunday deadline for a lockout. Wildcat strikes by the players and posturing on both sides had put the season in serious doubt.

But the two sides put away their hostilities, met in Chicago and hammered out a five-year deal that will keep the players playing. Canceled games would have been disastrous for the league, which is still staggering in the wake of losing the 2009 season due to a lockout.

"The season was clearly in jeopardy," said Ron Jaworski, one of the Soul's principal owners. "I was very, very concerned this weekend. It was pretty much touch-and-go all along. If this didn't get done this weekend, nothing good would have happened."

A stoppage would have interrupted what is turning into a special season for the Soul, which clinched the East Division title by beating Jacksonville.

"We didn't let what was happening hinder us in any way," said wide receiver Donovan Morgan. "We went and played Soul football and got the job done. But we still have four more games left."

A last-minute strike by the players from the Cleveland Gladiators caused the league's first forfeit on June 8 and resulted in the NFL Network's decision not to televise Friday night games live.

"Everything we did for nearly a year was starting to flash by our eyes," said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines. "We are all relieved and happy we can keep this magical season going."

Terms were not disclosed, but increased wages were at the top of the union's list of gripes. The two sides will officially sign the new CBA on Wednesday.

"A lockout would have been devastating," Jaworski said, sighing in relief. "We feel we have a team that will contend for a championship. It would have been gut-wrenching to see all of this hard work go down the drain. But we don't have to worry about it now."

Kent Richardson had three interceptions as the defense played its best game of the season in Saturday's 62-27 win over the Sharks. Richardson's pick on the opening possession set the tone.

"It started with the interception on the first drive," quarterback Dan Raudabaugh said. "The defense got a stop and we went down there and scored. That's how it's supposed to be. We kind of did that all night long."

Raudabaugh's three touchdown passes all went to Morgan, who had eight catches for 114 yards. The victory, coupled with Cleveland's loss to New Orleans, allowed the Soul to clinch their first division title since the 2008 championship season.

"I was proud of our emotion and how they played despite the labor unrest," Soul coach Doug Plank said. "The players understood there was going to be some decisions that were going to be made in the next couple of days that would have an impact on their lives, but they stayed focused."

Philadelphia hosts Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 24 and will clinch the conference's No. 1 seed with a win. The Soul (11-3) are the only team in the nine-team American Conference with a winning record. Last year, Philadelphia was 6-12.

"In my first discussion with the team, our first goal was to win the division," said Plank, who is in his first season as the Soul's coach. "This puts us in position to have success in the playoffs."