1.   And because the owners and the players association are miles apart on the key economic issues, that day could be months away.

2.   And the players association is behind Sheffield and believe he can have his suspension reduced.

3.   And the players association should tax the players for their own good.

4.   And the players association is not alone in its worries.

5.   And, through a loosely defined players association, they have a say in management decisions.

6.   As for a deal soon with the players association, Reinsdorf is not optimistic.

7.   At that point, arbitrator Shyam Das sets a hearing date, the players association and Major League Baseball present their sides, and then Das makes a ruling.

8.   Baseball says it can contract without the consent of the players association.

9.   Baseball believes it can contract teams without negotiating about the move with the players association.

10.   Because of the secrecy of its drug program, no one in the NFL is allowed to comment, and neither are officials from the players association.