With tonight’s 11:59 p.m. deadline fast approaching, there are reports that the NFL wants to extend the deadline for contract negotiations. The current collective bargaining agreement expires tonight.

This afternoon both sides are still meeting with a mediator.

An extension would be a good sign that perhaps both sides think they can get a deal done in weeks, not months.

If there is no extension, the owners will likely declare a lockout and the NFLPA could announce union decertification. If the union does not certify before the current collective bargaining agreement expires, they would have to wait six months.

A decertification could be their best weapon, they would then ask a judge for an injunction to prevent the lockout. Many experts think if the NHL players would have decertified back in 2004, they could have avoided a year-long lockout.

Stay tuned here for details as they come along.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)