NFL reaches agreement with CBS, FOX, Comcast

NEW YORK -- The NFL has extended its deals with broadcast partners CBS and Fox and announced a 10-year agreement with cable giant Comcast.

The two-year extensions with CBS and Fox will push those networks' NFL coverage through the 2014 season. CBS, which televises AFC games, received the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl following the 2013 season.

Fox will continue to televise NFC games and was awarded the rights to air the Super Bowl after the 2014 season.

The NFL's agreement with Comcast allows the nation's largest cable TV operator to air the NFL Network on its second-most popular digital tier of service.

The deal will cost Comcast 40 cents to 45 cents per subscriber, down from the NFL's previous asking price of 70 cents. By Aug. 1, the NFL Network will be carried throughout Comcast's service areas on a programming package called Digital Classic, which has around 10 million subscribers.

Longer regular season? More study is necessary

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The prospect of more NFL games apparently is going to require more talking.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he doesn't anticipate a vote at this week's spring meeting in South Florida on lengthening the regular season to 17 or 18 games.

It now seems likely that no decision will be made until talks are held with players in the coming weeks and months.

Jones apparently ready to rejoin Jets' workouts

NEW YORK -- Jets Pro Bowl running back Thomas Jones will rejoin his teammates next week after sitting out voluntary team activities while in a contract dispute, according to his agent.

Jones, a former University of Virginia standout, made the Pro Bowl last season after leading the AFC with 1,312 yards rushing, but is unhappy with his contract, which was front-loaded with $13.1 million over the first two seasons.

Elsewhere

• Wide receiver Percy Harvin (Virginia Beach), Minnesota's first-round draft pick out of Florida, is practicing with the team after missing a rookie minicamp earlier this month when he was hospitalized for a virus and severe dehydration.

• NFL owners voted yesterday to play the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the first time the championship game will be played there since Hurricane Katrina shredded the city and parts of the Superdome.

• The Saints have signed free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove, a 25-year-old who has been suspended three times for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

• An Ohio judge has granted more time for Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner to fight charges from an altercation with Cleveland police. The judge agreed to delay the case to June 19. Cleveland police say they used a stun gun and handcuffed Whitner on April 11 when he tried to force his way past officers dealing with a crowd outside a nightclub.

Cincinnati guard Andrew Whitworth has been moved to left tackle for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts. Andre Smith, the team's top draft pick, will line up at right tackle when he reaches a contract agreement. Smith has never played right tackle.