"A week after NFL owners wrapped up their annual spring meeting in Indianapolis, a small group of them gathered in a western suburb of Chicago and reportedly huddled with NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith in advance of Friday's scheduled court hearing.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft was spotted Wednesday boarding his private jet at DuPage Airport, a little less than 24 hours after arriving, sources told the Tribune. Also present during a full-day stakeout was the jet belonging to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, an unmistakable Gulfstream model with a star on each side of the tail.

Sources said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also arrived in West Chicago via private jet Tuesday, and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was believed to be present, the sources said. The NFL office was unable to provide any details. Airport officials cited a confidentiality policy in declining to reveal information.

Where the men most involved in the owners' end of strategy convened is unknown but surely the NFL's protracted labor situation was the reason for their gathering. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, there was a face-to-face meeting with Smith and other union officials, which would mark the first time in weeks that the two sides have had talks."