Judge orders end to NFL lockout

[manchild24]

Judge orders end to NFL lockout, league to appeal - NFL - Yahoo! Sports


Here is a taste of the article

A federal judge ordered an end to the NFL lockout on Monday, giving the players an early victory in their fight with the owners over how to divide the $9 billion business.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said she was swayed by the players’ argument that that the lockout, now in its second month, was causing irreparable harm to their careers.

The plaintiffs “have made a strong showing that allowing the League to continue their ‘lockout’ is presently inflicting, and will continue to inflict, irreparable harm upon them, particularly when weighed against the lack of any real injury that would be imposed on the NFL by issuing the preliminary injunction,” Nelson wrote.

[EmpireWF]

I guess the argument that the players have such a small window to play pro ball and make a living at it was the influencing part.

This will be interesting whether this ruling as any reall oomph behind it or whether this shit will continue for months.

[Yawkey Way]

It's also hurting rookie-2nd year players as well, guys who didn't play much last year aren't getting the same time to improve/grow as players. Hopefully that factored into the decision as well.

Does anyone with more knowledge of the situation know how the NFL will operate now? Can teams contact players?

[Leftwich]

I don't know what the fuck this all means. I just hope this is resolved.

[EmpireWF]

Teams cannot contact players until the lockout is over.

The league/owners are appealing the decisions so I don't know when that will be heard.

[Raidersabc123]

Does it mean teams can trade players draft day? If so this could be very interesting

[Yawkey Way]

Teams cannot contact players until the lockout is over.

The league/owners are appealing the decisions so I don't know when that will be heard.

So if this lockout isn't "over" then what was "lifted"?


This kind of stuff makes me interested in learning how the law works.

[j.hen]

Is it time to go back to caring about the NFL or does this even mean anything?

[f16harm]

I don't know what the fuck this all means. I just hope this is resolved.

To put it as simple and non technical as possible, right now, it basically means nothing. Judge Nelson ruled the lockout must end, the NFL does not have the right to do this. However, the NFL lawyers immediately have/will file an appeal on the ruling which produces a "stay", or in simple terms a "freeze" on the way things currently. Nothing changes from the current state until the next higher level of court reviews Nelson's ruling and makes their decision which trumps Judge Nelson's. Then the case returns to Nelson.

Each side CAN agree to a new collective bargaining agreement at any time, they are not barred from speaking to each other

[Yawkey Way]

Now harm, what happens if the higher court does not agree to the Stay?

[f16harm]

Now harm, what happens if the higher court does not agree to the Stay?

Judge Nelson agrees to the stay as part of the kick up to the Court of Appeals. I believe it would have to be some crazy shit for that to be turned down, it's the opposing sides right to an appeal and it's usually granted.

[RyanLeaf16]

Now harm, what happens if the higher court does not agree to the Stay?

The court doesn't rule on the stay. The stay is simply a hold on the current ruling. The higher court will then issue their own ruling or remand the case back to Judge Nelson. In issuing their own ruling, the cour can affim Judge Nelson's ruling which would really cripple the owners.

[Rayman]

To put it as simple and non technical as possible, right now, it basically means nothing. Judge Nelson ruled the lockout must end, the NFL does not have the right to do this. However, the NFL lawyers immediately have/will file an appeal on the ruling which produces a "stay", or in simple terms a "freeze" on the way things currently. Nothing changes from the current state until the next higher level of court reviews Nelson's ruling and makes their decision which trumps Judge Nelson's. Then the case returns to Nelson.

Each side CAN agree to a new collective bargaining agreement at any time, they are not barred from speaking to each other

This.

If the higher courts grant a stay on Judge Nelson's decision, then the NFL must immediately resume operations under the same formula as last year - No salary cap, and many guys who would be unrestricted FA's would again be restricted.

This isn't the end of it by far, but it is a step in getting football played this season, even though I disagree with the union's tactics (but I'm by no means on the owners' side) and all I care about is having a season this year.

[G-men]

at the start of this thread i was all excited but after reading what is really going on im just annoyed. thread title got my hopes up for nothing.

[Guest]

To put it as simple and non technical as possible, right now, it basically means nothing. Judge Nelson ruled the lockout must end, the NFL does not have the right to do this. However, the NFL lawyers immediately have/will file an appeal on the ruling which produces a "stay", or in simple terms a "freeze" on the way things currently. Nothing changes from the current state until the next higher level of court reviews Nelson's ruling and makes their decision which trumps Judge Nelson's. Then the case returns to Nelson.

Each side CAN agree to a new collective bargaining agreement at any time, they are not barred from speaking to each other

Yep, that is right. If the stay is not allowed, then they have to find a way to end the lockout and find some way to operate the league.

The interesting thing is that the NFLPA is disbanded. It will take some time before they can be reinstated as a labor union, and some interesting things could happen during that time. It was a ballsy move to disband the union, and it still could hurt the players.