NEW YORK (AP) -Arena Football players and management have reached agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, paving the way for the league to restart play next year.

Both the players' union and the league's board must ratify the deal, which would cover four seasons from 2010 through 2013.

AFL acting commissioner Ed Policy called the agreement crucial to bringing back the indoor football league, which canceled the 2009 season due to the economy.

The union's acting executive director, Richard Berthelsen, said players agreed to make concessions in return for a share of the league's expected future success.