sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Judge Susan Nelson rules in favor of players
Sporting News
Federal Judge Susan Richard Nelson has granted a motion by NFL players for a preliminary injunction. The announcement came Monday evening in the form of an 89-page ruling and temporarily lifts the NFL lockout.
Nelson decided not to stay the decision, but the NFL quickly announced it will appeal, likely early Tuesday morning. The NFL says it will first ask Nelson for a stay; if that is not granted, it will move onto the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in St. Louis hears the case.
"We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals," the NFL announced in a statement. "We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal."
In explaining her ruling, Nelson wrote that she was convinced of the players’ argument that the lockout was irreparably harming their collective careers.
The lockout was imposed by the owners March 11 after the two sides failed to extend the collective bargaining agreement, causing the players to disband the union.
Several NFL players, including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, then filed an injunction request, along with a class-action antitrust lawsuit.
The owners, meanwhile, argued it was their right to institute the lockout and said that although the players decertified, they were still acting like a union.
The NFL has also argued that lifting the lockout, and ruling the NFLPA as no longer a union, makes the league vulnerable to additional antitrust violation lawsuits.
Nelson first heard arguments on the injunction during an April 6 hearing. She ordered the two sides to resume mediation, although no real progress was made in that time.
Sporting News
Federal Judge Susan Richard Nelson has granted a motion by NFL players for a preliminary injunction. The announcement came Monday evening in the form of an 89-page ruling and temporarily lifts the NFL lockout.
Nelson decided not to stay the decision, but the NFL quickly announced it will appeal, likely early Tuesday morning. The NFL says it will first ask Nelson for a stay; if that is not granted, it will move onto the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in St. Louis hears the case.
"We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals," the NFL announced in a statement. "We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal."
In explaining her ruling, Nelson wrote that she was convinced of the players’ argument that the lockout was irreparably harming their collective careers.
The lockout was imposed by the owners March 11 after the two sides failed to extend the collective bargaining agreement, causing the players to disband the union.
Several NFL players, including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, then filed an injunction request, along with a class-action antitrust lawsuit.
The owners, meanwhile, argued it was their right to institute the lockout and said that although the players decertified, they were still acting like a union.
The NFL has also argued that lifting the lockout, and ruling the NFLPA as no longer a union, makes the league vulnerable to additional antitrust violation lawsuits.
Nelson first heard arguments on the injunction during an April 6 hearing. She ordered the two sides to resume mediation, although no real progress was made in that time.
