The union wanted a two-year contract; the league wanted a four-year agreement.

The contract provides a 3 percent pay raise in the third year of the four-year agreement and bonuses in the other years.

The company's current four-year agreement with the union is set to expire on Jan. 31.

A four-year agreement was the most likely, another person close to the talks said.

Smith has suggested making athletic scholarships, which are now renewed one year at a time, into four-year agreements to show a greater commitment by schools.

Felt chose not to exercise its option with the Boulder-based cycling team after a four-year working agreement.

The owners' proposal of either side's having the right to reopen the four-year agreement after two years was also discussed.

The four-year agreement is unusual because no auto labor contracts have lasted longer than three years since the 1950's.

Previously the team had signed a one-year contract and then a four-year agreement.

Two years later, he signed a new four-year agreement that ended after last season.