Darren Woodson says Jerry Jones is using his leverage to assert power over NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. (1:27)

The NFL expects a five-year contract extension for commissioner Roger Goodell to be finalized soon, despite a threatened lawsuit by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said Thursday that "our expectation is this will be wrapped up soon, but we can't project an actual date."

The extension would carry through 2024. Goodell became commissioner in 2006.

Lockhart said NFL owners, including Jones, had already unanimously approved moving forward with negotiations for an extension for Goodell.

"The owners voted unanimously to authorize the compensation committee to enter into negotiations and offer the commissioner an extension of his contract through 2024," Lockhart said. "... The 32-0 vote gives them the authority to enter into a contract extension."

He said negotiations have been "productive" and "amicable."

Jones' potential lawsuit against the NFL would aim to prevent an extension for Goodell, with whom Jones has expressed growing dissatisfaction this year. Among the reasons is the pending six-game suspension of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Lockhart said he is aware of the reports concerning the potential lawsuit by Jones, who has been removed as an ad hoc member of the six-member compensation committee, but "certainly neither the compensation committee or the league has been made aware of a lawsuit being filed."

Asked if he expects a potential lawsuit by Jones to block the extension, Lockhart responded, "That's a question to be put to Mr. Jones."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.