"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made clear on Wednesday that a decision for him to start cancelling preseason games because of the lockout is approaching.

"We don't have a date, but obviously that time is coming," Goodell said as owners wrapped up their spring meetings.

The league cancelled its annual rookie symposium this week. It was the first formal casualty of the lockout that began on March 12. The league is mired in a labor impasse, with a hearing at the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on June 3 set to determine the validity of the lockout.

"We're getting close enough where those will have to be considerations," Goodell said of considering cancelling preseason games. "Obviously we would prefer to get a negotiated agreement so we don't have to make those decisions."

The preseason is scheduled to kick off on Aug. 7, with the regular season scheduled on Sept. 8.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told the AP on Tuesday that he thinks a labor deal must by reached by July 4 to avoid putting the regular season in jeopardy. He also warned that even lost preseason games would have dire consequences in terms of lost revenue to the league.

"If you miss those preseason games, or a game or two (of the regular schedule), or start late," Irsay told the AP, "you have lost significant money, in excess of $1 billion.""