Goodell encouraged by CBA talks, hopes for deal 'sooner rather than later'

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the league has already had two formal negotiating sessions with the players' union about a potential new collective bargaining agreement, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

The early discussions have Goodell encouraged about reaching a new agreement without the threat of a lockout.

"I do hope it's sooner rather than later," Goodell said.

The current CBA expires after the 2020 season.

Goodell said negotiations have been "direct and open" as well as "respectful and thoughtful" to this point, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

A new 10-year CBA was approved in 2011 following a work stoppage from March to July of that year.