Deal gels done behind the scenes. (The Closer).

The deal was completed at 11:45 a.m. ET on Friday, August 30. I think that would be described as cutting it close.

I was optimistic the whole time. We were talking about the same issues. We just had to get over the thresholds and tax percentages. I got a little worried the owners didn't think we would go on strike. But in the end, neither side let the other get under its skin. Both dug in and got it done.

I'd like to blast the 95 percent of all media whose irresponsible journalism caused delays and almost cost us a deal. And to all those talk show hosts on AM radio around this country: You barbecued every player, saying we were greedy and couldn't care less about the integrity of the game. This deal clearly shows that we do care. We always did.

Both sides used the media to posture. We'd say something, and the media would run with it, most of the time half-cocked. The media constantly made mountains out of mole hills.

Each side was looking for cracks in the other side, and the media was the main tool. If you really knew how much stuff gets printed that has no confirmation or facts behind it, you would not read any papers at all. When both sides said there were no meaningful discussions as the drop-dead date got close, there were a lot of things actually going on behind the scenes. But it was so sensitive it could not be talked about.

The last night was nerve-wracking. I got little sleep--not because I was involved but because I was concerned.

This was a $4 billion poker game, and both sides won. The resolve of the players and Don Fehr can not be understated. It could have blown up at any time, but they stuck to the course. The negotiators--Fehr and Michael Weiner on the players' side and Bob DuPuy and Rob Manfred on the owners' side--should be commended for not letting this blow up as it had in the past.