The NFL is negotiating with television networks about a new early-season eight-game package that would start as soon as next season, according to a number of sources. The potential Thursday night package could be worth as much as $700 million per year, the sources said. Such a windfall, providing a sudden increase in overall league revenue, could help soften the blow to the players from the emerging labor deal in which they are likely to receive a smaller percentage of revenue than they previously have received. The new package would not affect NFL Network's schedule of live games, as the league has decided to keep its channel's eight-game Thursday night slate in the second half of the season intact.