The CFL and CFL Players' Association have a tentative deal.


A league source requesting anonymity told The Canadian Press the league and its players reached an agreement in principle on a new contract Saturday, averting a potential strike.


Specific details weren't immediately available but the deal is pending ratification.


The deal comes after the two sides began talking Friday and continued into Saturday morning before retiring. They resumed negotiations later in the day.


The CFL has been without a collective bargaining agreement since May 29 when the previous one expired. But the source said the two sides began talking Friday and continued into the early morning exchanging proposals.


The timing of this deal was surprising because the two sides hadn't met face to face since breaking off talks May 29.