The National Football League owners have accepted the terms of a proposed new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, with the lone hurdle remaining being a vote of approval by the players. The NFL released a statement on Thursday indicating that the owners have approved the negotiated terms of the CBA. The current agreement was ratified in 2011 and is set to expire following the 2020 season. "Following more than ten months of intensive and thorough negotiations the NFL Players and clubs have jointly developed a comprehensive set of new and revised terms that will transform the future of the game .... and ensure that the NFL's second century is even better and more exciting for the fans," the league said in a statement. If approved by the players, the new CBA reportedly could go into effect in time for the new league year, which begins March 18. The US media reported on Wednesday, that both sides agreed to expand the playoffs to seven teams from each conference, up from six, and to increase the regular season from 16 games to 17 games. gph/bgs