Packers president hopes players, owners can settle

The president of the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers is hoping players and owners will be able to resolve their differences at the bargaining table and not in court.

Mark Murphy spoke on a conference call Saturday, saying he's disappointed in the decision by the players to dissolve their union and the end of negotiations on a new labor contract.

Murphy says owners made significant financial concessions in a proposal Friday. But he contends the players seem to think they're “better off going the litigation route.”

The Packers hope to avoid laying off employees during what could be an extended work stoppage. They are, however, considering salary cuts that would extend to coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson.