Labor daze

So what's being done to avoid a chaotic 2010 and a possible work stoppage beyond that?

Both sides will continue negotiating. Arriving at an agreement by March 2009 would avoid the so-called uncapped year in 2010.

Now for the less obvious stuff.

Even without immediate ramifications, the owners' decision to "opt out" has implications for front offices and player agents negotiating contracts over the next year or so. The prospects of uncapped seasons (as crazy as that might seem) would greatly alter the way both sides might want to structure contracts. It's like trying to hit a moving target you can't even see.

Owners are going to have to come to grips with the way they deal among themselves with the many revenue streams that fall outside the norms of TV and gate money. They should also face the fact that they are the ones responsible when business ventures don't pay off as lucratively in the short run as they may have anticipated, such as NFL Network.bill.ordine@baltsun.com