"People with knowledge of the matter".

So, literally could be anyone.

The two people spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the ongoing talks, which could fall apart before or even during a scheduled hearing in federal court on Friday.

And the NYT has given themselves an 'out' in case it turns out to be innacurate.

Honestly, with all the shit they've pulled I don't even take them seriously anymore, they're just Fox News with a masters degree.