sports

NFL, union holding formal bargaining session

DALLAS (AP)—The NFL and its players’ union have met for two hours in their first formal bargaining session in more than two months.

Saturday’s meeting came one day before the Super Bowl. The full negotiating teams last sat down face-to-face on Nov. 22.

The sides issued a joint statement saying they “plan to increase the number, length and intensity of bargaining sessions” so they can reach an agreement before the collective bargaining agreement expires March 4.

The union has said it expects owners to lock out players if a new deal isn’t reached by then.

Among the major issues: how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues; the owners’ push to expand the regular season to 18 games; a rookie wage scale; and benefits for retired players.