Goodell says agreement close on HGH testing

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NEW ORLEANS -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he believes there will be an agreement soon with the players' union for testing for human growth hormone.

At his annual state of the NFL news conference Friday, Goodell said he expects an agreement for the tests to be reached in time for the start of the 2013 season.

Goodell noted that the league and union agreed to the testing two years ago in the collective bargaining agreement. He said it is important to have testing to retain the integrity and the brand of the league.

Goodell also said he is not going to give up his authority to discipline players for various offenses, something he said has served the league well over the years.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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