NFL Union Tells Players to Brace for Lockout

The NFL players' union is ramping up the rhetoric regarding a potential lockout next season. It sent a letter to players this week advising them to save their last three paychecks from this season to prepare for a year without a salary, reports AP. The letter said the lockout would begin on March 4, the day after the current collective bargaining agreement with the league ends.

"It is important that you protect yourself and your family," said the letter, noting that the union's "internal deadline" of reaching a new deal had passed. Said a league spokesman: "We hope this does not mean the union has abandoned negotiating in favor of decertifying and litigating." Among other things, the two sides can't agree on how much league revenue should go to the players. (More NFL stories.)