Kraft: NFL owners would like to make a deal

(NECN: Tel Aviv, Israel) - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says he's ready to come back to the U.S. if there is a deal to avert a potential lockout, but expects to finish his work in Israel.

Kraft is part of an American delegation headed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick that is visiting Israel this week. The Patriots owner said he was expecting that talks between NFL owners and players would be resolved by now, which is why he committed to the trip. But once he made the commitment, he was determined to live up to it. That said, if there was a major development, such as "the NFL Commissioner telling me he'd appreciate my presence," he would return.

"The last day (of the current round of talks) is Friday, so we'll see what happens."

But Kraft said personally, he's hopeful. "It's always good to be talking," he said. "I know from ownership's side that we feel there is a deal to be made and we'd very much like to do it." NECN reporter Alison King is traveling with the U.S. delegation. You can see her reports tonight on NECN Business and the News at 9.