NEW YORK (AP) — NHL owners unanimously ratified the tentative labor deal Wednesday. All that now remains is player approval to finally start the hockey season.

The league's board of governors met in a Manhattan hotel and overwhelmingly approved the agreement that was reached early Sunday on the 113th day of the NHL lockout.

A relieved Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement those in hockey waited nearly four months to hear. He then apologized to players, sponsors and hockey supporters for taking so long to deliver it.